Big news for parents and early years educators! Starting in September 2024, hundreds of thousands of eligible working parents can access 15 hours of government-funded early education for their children from as young as nine months old. This scheme marks the beginning of a change for early years childcare, offering more support to families across the UK.
At YMCA Fairthorne Group we are pleased to announce this, as it will significantly impact all the communities around Hampshire and the Isle of Wight that our nurseries are within. We are looking forward to enquiries across all of our nursery settings!
Government-Funded Childcare Summary: An Opportunity for Parents
From Monday, September 2nd, parents of children from nine months old can take advantage of this new initiative, which will provide 15 hours of government-funded early education per week. This policy aims to ease the financial burden of childcare on working families, allowing more parents to make choices about their work and family lives without the constraints of high childcare costs.
Looking Ahead: Expanding the Offer to 30 Hours
Furthermore, this scheme is looking at investing in children’s futures further by doubling childcare hours by September 2025. Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary has said “Over the next year, I will be working flat out with my team to ensure the next phase of the rollout is possible – doubling parents’ childcare entitlements to 30 hours a week.”
Supporting Early Educators: Stronger Practice Hubs and Special Educational Needs Resources
To support this expansion, the government has also announced an extension to the Stronger Practice Hubs programme. What this means is that there will be additional resources and support for early educators, particularly those working with children with special educational needs (SEN).
By investing in the professional development of educators and enhancing resources for SEN, the government aims to ensure that all children, regardless of their background or abilities, have access to high-quality early education.
Our Take: A Commitment to Families and the Future
Above all, the introduction of government-funded childcare is a monumental step forward in supporting working parents and enhancing early childhood education in the UK. Here at the YMCA, ensuring our children have the best start in life is a huge focal point of our work, and therefore the announcement of this scheme reflects our charity values and helps us to achieve our mission. As a result, all of our YMCA Nursery staff are thrilled to be able to open our doors to the wider community.
By investing in our children today, we are laying the foundation for a brighter future for all. So, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your local YMCA nursery if you are interested!
