Ellie Ames 27 June 2024

Councils’ confidence for childcare roll-out ‘worryingly low’

Councils’ confidence for childcare roll-out ‘worryingly low’  image
Image: JoeLogan / Shutterstock.com

Local authorities in England have raised concerns that they will be unable to meet demand in the next phase of the expansion of free childcare.

From September, children from nine months old in England will be eligible for 15 free hours a week until they start school, but almost six in 10 councils (59%) are either not confident or not sure they will have enough places to meet demand, research by Coram Family and Childcare (CFC) found.

The charity said that with just two months until the expansion, the figure was ‘worryingly low’.

Just 11% of councils said they were confident they would have enough spaces when the offer is expanded to 30 free hours in September 2025.

Most local authorities said their biggest concern was the workforce, and half (53%) said staffing had been a barrier to delivering the first phase of the expansion, which began in April.

Around half of councils (52%) said the first phase had seen all or almost all eligible parents in their area who wanted to take up the new entitlements able to do so.

CFC managing director Ellen Broomé said: ‘No child should miss out on the early years education they need to thrive, and all parents should be able to make meaningful decisions about work and care.

‘We want the next government to commit to the necessary reforms to make this a reality.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

School Crossing Patrol Officer - Thundersley Primary School

Essex County Council
Up to £13.00 per hour
School Crossing Patrol Officer - Thundersley Primary SchoolPermanent, Term Time£13.00 per hourLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

School Crossing Patrol Officer - Thundersley Primary School

Essex County Council
Up to £13.00 per hour
School Crossing Patrol Officer - Thundersley Primary SchoolPermanent, Term Time£13.00 per hourLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Targeted Early Help Practitioner x2

Wakefield Council
Grade 7 - Grade 8, Career Grade, 37 hours, Temporary
We are looking for two enthusiastic individuals to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Senior Care Assistant

Wakefield Council
£21,641.73 - £23,865.84, Grade 6, 28 hours, Permanent
We are a Dementia Care Home based in Knottingley, supporting vulnerable adults who have a diagnosis of Dementia. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Care Assistant

North Yorkshire Council
£11,062.92 - £11,238.49, Grade 4, 16 hours, Permanent
Are you caring, compassionate, and friendly? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner