This briefing has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council's Early Education & Workforce Officer, Aneesa Younus, for the attention of Early years providers and Schools.
In the spring budget of 2023, the Chancellor announced that funded childcare hours would be extended to children of eligible working parents in England from nine months old to support increased parental engagement in the labour market.
The measures announced will expand the existing system by offering up to 30 funded hours of childcare per week over 38 weeks of the year to children aged nine months and over whose parents meet the same income eligibility criteria as applied to the existing 30 hours entitlement for three and four-year-olds. The policy will have a phased rollout, with 15 hours per week for 38 weeks a year offered to eligible two-year-olds from April 2024 and to eligible children under two from September 2024. The new entitlement will be offered in full from September 2025.
The Chancellor also announced the expansion programme for wraparound care for primary school children across England by increasing the number of places available, to support working families. Wraparound care is before and after school childcare for primary school aged children in England during term time, such as breakfast clubs and regular afterschool provision that runs until 6pm or later. The care should be available every school day outside of regular school hours and is aimed at helping parents access more childcare and work the hours they want to.
This is different from out-of-school activities, or school clubs, which are less frequent and can be a one-off activity.
This session will explore:
- Local authority support
- Place planning, expansion, and development
- Eligibility criteria
- Application process
- Pupil funding
- Capital development programme
- Working with partner organisations
This meeting will take place online via MS Teams.