Julie Marson, the MP for Hertford and Stortford has welcomed the roll-out of the largest-ever expansion of childcare in England’s history with eligible working parents of two-year-olds now able to access 15 hours of free childcare per week. Currently, working families in England with children aged three to four years old are eligible for 30 hours of free childcare for 38 weeks of the year, totalling 1,140 hours per year.
The Government is committed to securing a better deal for hard-working families across the country, so parents feel empowered to make the choice that is best for them and their family–whether that be returning to work or staying at home to raise their children. Therefore, from the 1st of April, the Government has extended the childcare package so that eligible working parents of two-year-olds can now access 15 hours of childcare support per week.
This is only the first phase. From September, working parents with children from the age of nine months until they start school will be able to benefit from 15 hours of free childcare per week. This will be expanded again in September 2025 with working parents of children under the age of five able to benefit from 30 hours of free childcare per week.
In addition to delivering the largest expansion of childcare in England’s history, 96% of early education providers are now rated good or outstanding under the Government. This is up from just 68% in 2010, giving parents a massive confidence boost in the standards of this provision.
The plan is working. If we stick to it, we can continue to deliver on our promise of providing parents with the choice to either stay at home to raise the next generation or return to work to contribute to our economy, empowering them to secure a brighter future for themselves and their families.
Ms Marson said:
“Too many families in Hertford and Stortford face difficulties in going back to work after having children due to the exorbitant costs of childcare and it is vital that they can do so. That is why the Government is taking firm steps to address this issue. I’m very glad to see that eligible parents of two-year-olds can now access 15 hours of government-funded childcare per week, with plans for further expansion this year and next. This empowers parents to balance work and family responsibilities. The Prime Minister has devised a plan that is proving effective and we must remain committed to it to ensure our support for parents in their careers while securing a brighter future for the next generation”.
Commenting, Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan, said:
“This government is taking long-term decisions to give working families a brighter future, which is why we are making the largest ever investment in childcare in England’s history. “From April, well over one hundred thousand more parents will be benefitting from our expanded offer–and next year, hard-working parents with children from nine months old up to when they start school will get a full 30 hours–saving parents £6,900 a year. This progress would be destroyed by Labour who have no plan and would take us back to square one by refusing to commit to 30 hours of free childcare, risking the futures of thousands of young people across the country.”