News

£3m Childcare Works programme launches to support 30 hours policy

The Government has awarded a £3m contract to ensure settings and councils ‘work closely together’ to create enough childcare to implement the 30 hours policy.

The national support programme, called Childcare Works, will be run by consultancies Hempsalls, an early years specialist, and Mott MacDonald.

Its aim is to help local authorities create the estimated 45,000 new three- and four-year-old places needed in England.

Business support to childcare providers, particularly in areas where 'sufficiency is a significant risk', will be part of the package.

The DfE has acknowledged that ‘the implementation of the programme will create several challenges and we will need LAs and providers to work closely together to provide sufficiency of places'.

Concerns have also been voiced by MPs, think tanks and early years bodies that there will be a national shortage of 30-hour places, and that disadvantaged children will lose out. Less than half of all nurseries were planning to provide 30 hours of free childcare when the scheme starts next September because the funding doesn’t meet their costs, according to an NDNA survey from February.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Unlimited access to news and opinion

  • Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here