Norfolk mum says childcare provision must rise inline with new support
Start-up grants of up to £1,200 for new childminders go live today
A mum from Norfolk is urging the Government to help bolster the number of nurseries and childcare staff in the county.
It's as a start-up grant of up to £1,200 for new childminders goes live today, while working parents can apply for 15 hours a week of free childcare from January 2nd.
A £400 million increase in funding for early years providers has also been confirmed for 2024-25.
"There's not enough space or staff"
Rebecca Wright lives in Norwich and campaigns against maternity discrimination:
"Families need two incomes nowadays to run a household, generally speaking. Owing to the cost of living crisis and costs overall- things are just so much more expensive today.
"There's not enough space or staff- so this really needs to be tackled as well, as this financial support. As this is going to create more demand for nursery spaces, in the new year.
"Two days a week childcare in a private nursery was nearly £600 a month"
"We have the most expensive childcare in the developed world. So this move is just to bring us in-line with other countries. So parents can afford to have a household or continue their careers.
"15 hours only covers a couple of days a week in a childcare provision. So if parents are working more than that, they will have to cover this. In my experience, two days a week childcare in a private nursery was nearly £600 a month."
"Getting more people into work and growing the economy"
From April, working parents of two-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of this free support.
This will then be extended to working parents of all children older than nine months from September next year.
As of September 2025, working parents of children under five will be entitled to 30 hours free childcare per week.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: "Our fantastic childcare offer is going to start supporting eligible families in less than six months' time, and I want to make sure that parents and providers are prepared.
"We're 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."
"Totally undeliverable"
Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson said the plan would not work with nurseries and childminders "going to the wall".
"Early years providers up and down the country are warning that the Conservatives' policy is totally undeliverable," she said.
"With nurseries and childminders going to the wall, at least two children for every childcare place and staff leaving in their droves, it's clear the Conservatives have no plan to deliver the offer made to families."
"A fraction of what's needed"
Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Munira Wilson said the commitment:
"Rings hollow" with Government funding for childcare services "a fraction of what's needed" compared to the real cost of provision.
"How does this Conservative government expect to roll out expansion of childcare when there are not enough providers to go around?" she said.
"There is a huge crisis looming, with both nurseries and local councils warning of a collapse if the Government doesn't come forward with proper funding."