Rishi Sunak has been cautioned that he may encounter a major setback before the upcoming election due to his government’s prominent commitment to childcare. There are worries that numerous parents will not have access to the program just weeks before voting.
The leader of the government has acknowledged that logistical challenges have hindered the implementation of the free childcare program, which is being touted as the biggest expansion of its kind. Both parents and childcare facilities are worried about the potential chaos that may arise in April when all two-year-olds become eligible for 15 hours of funded childcare.
But there are also concerns that a larger issue may arise in September, when the scheme will include nine-month-old children. Due to shortages in staff and limited availability of facilities, providers are cautioning that the increased care required for younger children will make it very challenging for parents to secure a spot in childcare.
Display the image in full screen mode.
There are concerns that if funding is not secured, certain nurseries may become unviable. To compensate for the reduced public funding for older children, some nurseries rely on charging higher fees for younger children. A few childminders have already announced their decision to not participate in the extended program.
The alteration is expected to occur a few weeks prior to the overall election, scheduled for either October or November. Significant endeavors are currently underway to secure sufficient childcare personnel before the deadline, such as a recruitment drive and expedited apprenticeship programs. Nonetheless, service providers caution that the government’s pre-election expansion is being hastily pushed through after years of neglect.
Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, expressed concern that the September rollout could pose a major issue for both providers and families. He stated that nurseries, without the option to charge higher rates for younger children, are depending on the government to act appropriately. However, the track record shows that this is not always the case.
He stated that in addition to this, certain providers do not possess the means – both financially and physically – to modify their facilities to accommodate younger children. Some settings are unable to cater to 18-month-old children.
“Early years care and education are becoming more prominent in discussions. As it is a significant expense for many parents, it is natural for it to be a popular topic. If the government had considered this strategically a decade ago, there would not be such a rush to find a solution now, which could lead to disastrous consequences.”
In response to growing political pressure, Jeremy Hunt, the chancellor, revealed a £4 billion proposal to expand childcare services in the UK. This decision was made after the UK was identified as one of the most costly countries for childcare. According to the charity Coram, the average cost of a full-time nursery spot for children under two had reached nearly £15,000 by the time the plan was announced.
View the image in full screen mode.
The department has announced a notable boost in funding for childcare. Starting in April, the average hourly rate for three- and four-year-olds will be £5.88, £8.28 for two-year-olds, and £11.22 for children under two. Despite this increase, childcare providers are still unsure of the exact amount of funding they will receive. Anna Bainbridge, a seasoned childminder in Hersham, Surrey, expressed concerns about her hourly rate, inability to charge additional fees to parents, and the administrative complexities of the new system. As a result, she does not plan on participating.
Currently, we are uncertain of the rate that will be provided for two-year-olds, let alone nine-month-olds in the following months,” she stated. “I have no intention of providing this service. As a result, many parents who expect to receive it may discover that some childminders are not obligated to accept it. This may result in the loss of childminders. I have already stated that if I am compelled to participate in this funding, I will withdraw from the industry – and I have been working in childcare for more than 35 years.”
According to Bridget Phillipson, the opposition’s education spokesperson, the government’s decision to expand childcare services was made without a proper plan in place. Phillipson criticized the Conservative party for prioritizing media attention over creating a sustainable long-term plan for childcare reform, which could potentially lead to the collapse of the childcare market and leave parents without available spots.
The Department for Education representative stated that England is experiencing its largest ever increase in childcare options. They trust that the market is capable of providing these options, with the help of a £204 million funding increase in September and an additional £400 million in April to assist with creating more spaces and supporting staff wages.
In the near future, we will be launching a new national recruitment campaign worth millions of pounds. We will also be implementing an accelerated apprenticeship program to attract new employees in the sector. Despite these measures, there has already been an increase in early years placements and staff since 2023 compared to five years ago. However, the number of children aged 0-5 has continuously decreased between 2018 and 2022.
Source: theguardian.com
