The statutory guidance sets out how local authorities should guarantee that all parents of three- and four-year-olds have greater flexibility in how they use the free offer of 15 hours a week, spread throughout 38 weeks, when it comes into force in September.
The Code also confirms that from 2012, parents will also have the right to spread the free entitlement over a whole year, which the Government said would help parents balance childcare with employment or training and enable them to budget.
Providers and local authorities will also be required to consult parents locally about how they can offer free childcare more flexibly.
There were also celebrations as the target of 3,500 Sure Start children's centres was reached, with Prime Minister Gordon Brown opening the Hitherfield Children's Centre in Streatham, south London.
The Prime Minister said, ‘Over the last ten years we’ve been building children's centres in every community. It’s the revolution that we started ten years ago, with children's centres spreading to the whole of the country, and now we’re trying to improve them bit by bit so they really are tailored to the needs of parents – parents who are working, parents who have got a number of children, parents who have got young children that need the benefit of early learning opportunities – because this is the most formative part of everyone’s life, and children need the help to grow to the best of their ability.’
Other measures announced today include:
• A new advisory panel to review food standards in early years settings
• Summary research from the School Food Trust on food standards in nurseries
• A maternity and early years review, which will give every expectant parent access to a named Sure Start contact throughout pregnancy and in a child’s early years
• A new online resource, The Gateway to Writing, to offer practical guidance for early years practitioners to support the development of children’s writing, with a particular focus on boys
• Draft core principles for outreach to help children’s centres reach the most disadvantaged families
What do our readers think? Send your views on the new Code of Practice to news.nw@haymarket.com
Early years sector response
Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA)
‘Increased flexibility is good news for children and families. The increased hours now available for all and the option for parents to be able to take their entitlement for longer hours over fewer days will undoubtedly open up work and training opportunities for more families. Nurseries are ideally placed to offer parents options that meet their needs, and are well-placed to provide the new extended and flexible entitlement. This code clearly sets out what flexibility will mean, and how childcare providers and local authorities are expected to work together. NDNA will be working closely with nurseries and local authorities to help this new code be effectively implemented so that delivery of 15 hours is realistic and sustainable for providers.’
Catherine Farrell, joint chief executive of National Childminding Assocition (NCMA)
‘NCMA welcomes the Government's expectation that all local authorities across England will establish networks for registered childminders as part of the Code of Practice. NCMA will work closely with the Government to ensure this is an immediate priority, particularly in those areas where there is not currently a network.
‘We are especially pleased that regard has been made to the excellent examples of partnership working that so many registered childminders on quality improvement networks already provide. NCMA believes that it is vital that home-based childcare is a key component in all local authority's childcare sufficiency plans and that families have a full choice of high-quality free childcare in their community.’
Alison Garnham, chief executive of Daycare Trust
‘We are pleased parents will now have the right to request flexible childcare, and we hope that local authorities across the UK will work with providers to fulfil the needs of parents. This is essential to ensure parents make full use of what they are entitled to. These free places offer a stepping stone for many into new activities such as training or paid work and it is vital that the hours can be taken as flexibly as possible to make best use of this time.
It is a fantastic achievement and real cause for celebration that 3,500 children’s centres have now been opened. Sure Start has the potential to transform children’s futures and help them flourish, and it is important that there continues to be universal access for all children to their local centre and, for parents, the support with childcare they provide is invaluable.’
Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children
‘Sure Start Children’s Centres are one of the greatest achievements of modern Government. The Centres have helped thousands of families to become stronger and better able to cope with tough times. The concern now is that there may be pressure for Centres to become a service only for families in crisis as local budgets are reduced.
It is so important that we keep building momentum to ensure that seeking out the local Sure Start becomes an instinctive part of becoming a parent. But this will only happen if Sure Start continues to provide relevant services for all families regardless of their social background. This will not only help more families get the support they need but will also provide young children with the opportunity to spend time and learn from children from a broad range of backgrounds.’
