The September term brought about the government’s latest phase in expanding funded childcare and early education in England, meaning eligible families of children as young as nine months can now access up to 15 hours per week of funded childcare and early education across 38 weeks. It is expected that hundreds of thousands of families in England will be taking up this offer.
Wraparound provision
New funded “wraparound” childcare places are also available for before and after school provision as part of the National Wrapround Childcare Programme. Together these reforms are part of the government’s pledge to ensure families in England can access an improved early education and childcare system “from the end of parental leave to the end of primary school”. PACEY continues to work closely with the DfE and local authorities to ensure that all remits, including registered childminders play a role in the expansion of wraparound childcare and we know that some local authorities and schools are already engaging with childminders in their area. We are encouraging our members to be the pro-active parties and contact your local school to engage with them and ask your services to be signed posted on their website (if not already).
Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs
To support the expansion, the Government has extended the Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs programme to at least the end of March 2025. This programme supports early years settings in England by bringing together local groups, building networks and supporting evidence-based practice. PACEY has been working with the Government and the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) to ensure that childminders are able to access and use the Stronger Practice Hubs programme.
Annette Kingsley Smith, Childminder and Childminder Strategic Partner for London South Early Years Stronger Practice hub, said:
“If you are thinking of engaging with your local Stronger Practice Hub, don’t be shy. One of my roles is to facilitate a safe professional space to talk about anything related to childminding, no question is too big or small. We will help answer your question, work through it, signpost you, and discuss evidence informed practice. There is a wealth of information online including training and opportunities to engage”.
IFS analysis
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has published its latest analysis looking at the expansion of early years and childcare. It raises the important issue of workforce challenges amidst the demand for more early education and childcare places: “around 20% childcare workers leave their jobs each year, twice the rate for school teachers” with most citing poor pay as their motivation for leaving.
What’s next?
In September 2025, this offer is expected to extend to 30 hours per week for families of children as young as nine months old. To achieve this, the government estimates around 85,000 more places are needed in England – over double the increase in places seen in the past five years combined.
