In today’s Budget, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced his plans to reform the childcare system in the UK, which will impact many primary schools.
Expensive childcare
As we mentioned in our recent article: how schools can tackle childcare, we have one of the most expensive systems in the world. Jeremy Hunt explained; “Half of non-working mothers say they would prefer to work if they could arrange suitable childcare…for many women a career break becomes a career end”.
Increased funding for childcare
As a result, the Chancellor confirmed he would increase funding paid to nurseries providing free childcare under the hours offer by £204 million from September 2023, rising to £288 million next year.
All primaries to provide wraparound care
The government’s wants all primary schools to provide wraparound care between 8am and 6pm to pupils from 2026, either on their own or in partnership with other schools.
Many primary schools already offer breakfast and after school clubs, so these changes will affect some primary schools more than others, but we are yet to get more information on how this will be funded.
Helping families
The Chancellor also highlighted helping the 700,000 parents on Universal Credit, who cannot afford the upfront payments necessary to access subsidised childcare. Notably, the government now plans to pay the childcare costs upfront.
In England, eligible households, where all adults are working at least 16 hours, the government will introduce 30 hours of free childcare for every child over 9 months. Whereas previously, there has been no support for parents after their parental leave ended.
