Education Secretary Gillian Keegan Promises Maximum Support for Childcare

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has announced a comprehensive package of childcare support that aims to eliminate the difficult choice between having children and pursuing a career. Keegan is allocating £100 million to local councils to expand nursery places in preparation for the upcoming expansion of free childcare help.

New Online Tool to Maximize Childcare Support

Keegan is also launching an online tool that will assist parents in accessing the maximum childcare support available to them. This tool will provide hard-pressed parents with valuable guidance on how to navigate the system and make the most of the resources provided.

30 Hours of Free Care for Children Aged 9 Months to 3 Years

In last Spring's Budget, plans were unveiled to offer 30 hours per week of free childcare for children between the ages of nine months and three years by September 2025. Speaking exclusively to the Sun, Keegan emphasized that no parent should have to choose between a career and a family, stating, "It is really important."

Addressing Concerns about Childminder Availability

Despite concerns about whether there will be enough childminders to meet the increased demand, Keegan brushed off these worries. The package includes plans for two-year-olds to receive 15 hours of free childcare starting in April 2024, with the program expanding to include nine-month-olds the following September.

Wraparound Care for Primary School Children

In addition to the childcare support, local councils are also receiving £289 million in funding to provide wraparound care for primary school children from 8am to 6pm. This initiative aims to provide working parents with the flexibility they need to balance their careers and childcare responsibilities.

Labour's Response

Labour's Helen Hayes expressed skepticism about the pledge, stating, "Without more details about whether this is new money, how many places it will provide, and how new childcare will be staffed, this pledge isn't worth the paper it's written on."