William Eichler 25 January 2024

Councils raise alarm over free childcare offer

Councils raise alarm over free childcare offer  image
Image: Oksana Kuzmina / Shutterstock.com.

Ahead of the roll-out of the expansion to free early education entitlements, local authorities across England have warned there may not be enough childcare places to meet demand.

From April eligible parents of two-year-olds will be offered 15 free hours per week of free childcare. In September, this will be available for children from nine months until the start school.

From September 2025, eligible parents will get 30 free hours from nine months until the start of school.

New research from the campaign group Coram has found that 60% of councils are ‘confident’ or ‘very confident’ that there will be enough places to meet demand for the April 2024 expansion.

However, just 27% of local authorities say the same about the expansion from September 2024 and this falls to just 12% for the September 2025 expansion.

The majority (88%) said the ongoing challenges to recruit and retain staff for the local childcare workforce was a ‘barrier’ to the delivery of more places.

Nearly two thirds (64%) identified ‘sufficiency of childcare places for children with SEND’ as a barrier to delivery and 55% cited ‘funding to support children with SEND’ as another potential issue.

If this article was of interest, then check out, 'Wraparound childcare: what do parents want?'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Library Duty Manager

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £28,142 - £31,022 Pro rata
There is an exciting opportunity to join our Libraries team as a Library Duty Manager. This is a part-time (16.5hrs) temporary position, managing Seah Seaham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Library Assistant

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824 Pro-rata
Do you have a love of books? A passion for helping people and the community? We are looking for a part time friendly Library Assistant to help us de Stanley
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Front of House Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824 Pro-rata £13.26 per hour
WHAT IS INVOLVED?   We’re looking for enthusiastic and customer-focused individuals to join our team as Casual Front of House Officers at Gala Durham. Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Clerical Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 3 £25,185 - £25,989 Pro rata
WHAT IS INVOLVED   We are looking to appoint a part-time 18.5hr Clerical officer within Business Services, Temporary for 18 months.  You will provide Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Cleaner

Durham County Council
£24,796 pro rata
Cleaner Grade 1 £24,796 pro rata 10 hours per week, term time only Permanent Required as soon as possible   The Governors of our fully inclusive, succ Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner