Childcare warning for UK parents
A week out from the start of the new school term, the government has urged families to take advantage of its childcare boost.
Parents using the 30 hours can save up to £7,500 a year, which can be better spent on quality family time and comes as a massive salve for parents who have been struggling with the cost-of-living pressure that we inherited.
However, ministers have warned that families must apply within the next three days or risk losing out on this offer from this September.
The scheme – which covers children from nine months until reception – will support more children to be ‘school-ready’ and set them up to achieve better results in school. That delivers a key priority in the Plan for Change – to give children the best start in life.
This comes as £600 million is also being invested to extend the Holiday Activities and Food programme for another three years. This supports children from lower-income families by providing free meals and enriching activities during school holidays. It helps close the development gap, boosts confidence and social skills, and has already reached over half a million children in the past year.
“Giving every child the Best Start in Life is my number one priority, which is why we are delivering on our commitment to provide hundreds of thousands of children with 30 hours of government-funded early education,” said Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.
“Whether it’s to save up to £7,500 a year, support parents to get back to work, or reduce the pressure on grandparents who so often have to step in, the benefits are widespread. The offer is just around the corner, and so I’m urging every eligible parent who wants it to take it up,” she said.
