A £50m project is set to help create thousands of free childcare places
The Government has announced a £50m grant scheme will help fund £9,000 new childcare places. This scheme will help deliver the Government’s promise of 30hrs free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds.
Funding will be allocated to providers to invest in buildings, revamp existing builds, upgrade facilities and ensure there are physical play opportunities for children. It is said that 200 nurseries and preschools will benefit from this funding,
However many people are still saying that this amount is still short of what is expected to help deliver the childcare scheme,
Childcare providers in Blackpool, Derby, and Norwich will see more than £2m of this £50m being invested in them, as they have been identified as falling behind in social mobility
The £50m scheme will help hard working parent who are trying to balance going to work and paying for childcare, money invested with help provide an extra 9,000 free childcare places.
Concerns have been raised from Early years providers claiming that they need more money from Government to deliver the Government’s promise of 3ohrs free childcare. Many providers are looking at the possibility of reducing the amount of childcare places available; therefore this will create a shortage of childcare places, not increase them.
Many childcare providers are still uncertain as to where they can offer 30hrs of free childcare. By offering this scheme, it could potentially lead to financial difficulties, leaving some providers having to close.
What do people think is the long term answer to help solve this problem?