Concern over plans to expand free childcare in North Yorkshire
Eligible working parents of 2-year-olds can now register to access 15 hours free childcare per week from April
The Government is pushing ahead with its plans to expand free childcare.
From today working parents of two year olds can register to access 15 hours free childcare per week from April 2024.
But there's concern about whether nurseries will be ready. Sarah Green is from Selby and has worked in early years for 20 years: " It’s really worrying that parents can start applying. We still need almost 100,000 new early years staff just to meet the demand of the new childcare places when it rolls out."
"The department of education figures show that yes there is going to be a rise in childcare places, but a fall in providers. A lot of nurseries will probably shut due to not being able to meet the minimum wage and the new places and paying the staff what they rightly deserve.
"I can see a big collapse here throughout the year unless something is done, more support is put in place. And yes, there is a lot of money going into it but unfortunately the money and the amounts just don’t add up to what these nurseries need to survive."
What do the Government say?
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said:
'From April next year, eligible working parents of 2-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of government-funded childcare a week, making sure parents no longer have to choose between a career and a family, and doubling down on this government’s commitment to getting more people into work and growing the economy.
I know the delivery of this transformation is no easy task, which is why I am pushing ahead with increased funding rates across the country and up to £1,200 for new childminders, knocking down barriers to recruiting and retaining the talented staff that provide such wonderful care for our children.'