Labour promises 3ohrs of free childcare for two to four years old’s
30hrs free childcare per week is being promised by Labour education secretary Angela Rayner for two to four-year-old no matter what parents earn. This promise was spoken about at the Labour party 2017 annual conference. This promise, however, will cause a further concern for childcare providers as the 30hrs free childcare scheme for 3 and 4-year-olds is already causing a financial strain.
The 30hrs free childcare government scheme was promised to the children of working parents, however, the promise of 600,00 places has not been met with only a quarter of these places have been created. The most disadvantaged children are not able to take up one of these childcare places as parents do not meet the eligibility criteria, leaving these children vulnerable.
It has been expressed that a report setting out an alternative will be published, this report will enable all two to four years olds extra affordable care no matter what families earn.
For many nurseries this alternative would not be possible as the hourly rate childcare providers are paid for by the government is not a true reflection of what it actually costs to provide the high-quality care. Nurseries are having to either ask parents for a voluntary contribution to cover the shortfall or they themselves are having to absorb the shortfall.
What are people’s views on this alternative?