The Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, has announced a bumper package of childcare worth £100 million to provide more nursery places and support for working parents. This move aims to end the difficult choice that many parents face between having children and pursuing a career. Keegan is also launching an online tool that will help parents access the maximum childcare support available to them.
Expansion of Free Care
Last year's Budget outlined plans to offer 30 hours of free care per week for children aged nine months to three years by September 2025. This initiative aims to ease the financial burden on parents and provide them with the flexibility needed to balance work and family life.
Speaking exclusively to the Sun, Gillian Keegan emphasized that no parent should have to choose between having a career or having a family. She acknowledged the challenges that many women face in sacrificing career opportunities due to lack of affordable childcare options.
Addressing Concerns
There have been concerns about whether there will be enough childminders to meet the increased demand for childcare services. However, Keegan brushed off these fears, stating that the current program is already progressing at a quick pace.
Under the new package, two-year-olds will receive 15 hours of free childcare from April 2024, with this extending to nine-month-olds by the following September. This expansion aims to provide support for parents of younger children, allowing them to return to work or pursue career opportunities.
Funding for Primary School Children
In addition to the childcare package, town halls are also receiving £289 million in funding to provide wraparound care for primary school children from 8am to 6pm. This support aims to give working parents the peace of mind and flexibility they need, knowing that their children are well taken care of.
Labour's Helen Hayes has raised concerns about the lack of details regarding the funding and how it will be utilized. She questions whether this pledge will truly address the childcare needs of families and calls for more transparency.
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