Treasury Suggests Expansion for Free Childcare

The government is considering a major expansion of free childcare in England. The move, which could be announced soon, would mark a significant shift in providing early years education and care.

Read the rest of the article here:  https://www.ipgce.com/treasury-suggests-expansion-for-free-childcare/(opens in a new tab)

Contact us here: https://www.ipgce.com/contact-us

If successful, the plan could see two-, three- and four-year-olds entitled to up to 30 hours of free childcare instead of the 15 currently available. Currently, most families have access to 15 hours of free childcare for three- and four-year-olds but must pay for any additional time they need.

The new plan is part of a wider effort by the Treasury to improve support for families with young children. It follows a report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies that found mothers who take time off work to look after a child are likely to lose up to £11,000 in earnings over their careers.

The move will be funded by an increase in taxes on employers, with the Treasury looking at how best to make them bear the cost. The government argues that this is necessary as it would reduce “unnecessary complexity and costs” for small businesses.

The plan remains under discussion, but if successful, it could transform childcare support for thousands of families across England. It provides further evidence of the government’s commitment to ensuring working parents benefit from improved childcare provisions and increased financial support. Watch this space!

The government hopes the changes will increase employment and give parents more choices in how they care for their children. Increased access to free childcare could also benefit the wider economy, encouraging mothers back into work, boosting productivity and reducing the burden on social services.

If successful, this expansion of early years education could have far-reaching implications for families and businesses across England. The Treasury is now working hard to ensure that any new policies are effective and affordable, providing a reliable support system for employers and employees. Only time will tell if this ambitious plan comes to fruition, but it seems clear that free childcare looks set to become an integral part of family life in England.

What do you think of the expansion?

Need to find out more? Click Here
To find out about the courses we have on offer: Click Here
Join the Course: Click Here
Scroll to Top