Why shouldn’t children centre’s be given childcare funding?
As many of us already know that from Septemeber 2017 there will be more help for working parents due to the Governments scheme of double the free childcare entitlement to 30hrs It is believed that Government will be spending £6bn on childcare by 2020, and an additional £1bn on the free childcare hours.
Come September many families across the country will be eligible for the 30hours free childcare, and with many of these children already in early education, this will save childcare costs.
With many childcare providers feeling the increased pressure of the 30hrs free childcare entitlement, surely this is the time to be looking at saving children centre’s not closing them and giving them childcare funding.
Around 31 children centres are being axed due to county council funding cuts. By offering childcare funding at children centres, this would help with the increase childcare places, giving children the early education they deserve.
Over the years services offered at children centres have been scrutinised, and some services have merged with nearby centres to reduce buildings sitting half empty. Maybe it is now time for Government to help save children centres.