Wiltshire chosen to trial wraparound care for primary school children
Our council's one of 16 to be getting Government support for the scheme
Last updated 7th Jul 2023
Wiltshire's been chosen as one of 16 areas to trial wraparound care for primary school aged children.
The Government's helping to fund plans for pupils to be offered care from 8.00am to 6.00pm.
Our Council will be working to help develop the schemes, before they're rolled out nationwide - with the first provisions likely to be from summer 2024.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt said:
“I know the cost of childcare can be a real struggle for parents and can become a barrier to work.
“That’s why we announced the largest ever expansion of free childcare at Spring Budget, and today we’re increasing hourly funding rates to make sure the system is ready to deliver, including uplifting rates for a two-year-old by a third.
“These reforms will be transformative, and ensure that we build a childcare system comparable to the best”.
Wiltshire Council say they've already started putting forward ideas for the project, but also making sure that some of the barriers are looked at in depth and form part of the government support.
Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services said:
“I’m very pleased to hear Wiltshire Council has been asked to be part of this key work to ensure plans to create wraparound childcare for primary aged children can work effectively.
"We already work closely with our schools, out of school clubs and early years providers and we know how important having reliable childcare can be for families. We will be taking our experience and working with colleagues to prepare the way for this new scheme which ultimately will help families to benefit from childcare.”
Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan said:
“Today is a great step forward as we deliver on the largest ever expansion of childcare which will be transformational for working families and will help grow our economy.
“I want childcare to be truly affordable and available when and where parents need it. This initial investment of over £200 million will go a long way in supporting the fantastic early years sector to prepare for the expansion of free childcare hours available to parents next year.”
This follows additional funding for nurseries, which the Government hopes will ease cost pressures such as staffing costs, training and bills.
Meanwhile, from April 2024, eligible working parents of two-year-olds will get 15 free hours per week of free childcare.
From September 2024, eligible parents will get 15 free hours from nine months until their children start school, and from September 2025, they will get 30 free hours from nine months until the start of school.