Childcare practitioners in the West Midlands anticipate guidance on the 2024 child care reform’s application and practicality.
With funding expected in January, they face a tight three-month window for implementation.
Birmingham Based
Church of Ascension Pre-school and Playgroup, Manager, Ann Ford said,
Up until 15th November, the only information we received was that which had already appeared in the press.”
“We have now been issued with short guidance to how the 15 hours for working parents of 2 year olds will work. It is the same system as the current 30 hours for working parents of 3 year olds.”
First installment in January 2024
According to .gov guidelines, local authorities across the UK will receive their share of £289 million in January. This is the largest ever funding into childcare, according to the Department for Education.
If funding is allocated in line with this projection, this only gives a window of 3 months for child care practitioners to arrange extra resources, recruit and operate in time for the funding to come to an effect.
Blossomfield Infant and Nursery School, nursery manager, Amy who has worked in childcare for over 10 years says,
“My personal opinion is that it will be incredibly difficult for private providers as the amount of money received from the government will never match the amount charged in fees in private settings. This is of course fantastic for working parents but does leave me wondering how private settings will survive.”
The funding will be allocated in stages, stated on the .gov website,
“The increased offer will be rolled out in stages to allow child care providers time to be able to implement the changes, making sure the places that are needed are available across the country when the offers are introduced.”
Ann from Church of Ascension Pre-School and Playgroup says,
“What has not been confirmed is the funding rate we will receive for these 2 year olds. This historically comes at the 11th hour and in no way matches the increases we have to pay in minimum wage and rent.”
The Early Years Alliance collected data from families and child care providers about the new childcare policy, they said:
“A high proportion of early years settings will be unable to provide the places needed to match increased demand, with many providers citing a lack of space or sufficient staff as key reasons.”
To find out if you are eligible for extended childcare funding, visit: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
