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Family Solicitors

Government announces further £55m in funding for childcare schemes (12 April 2017)

Date: 12/04/2017
Duncan Lewis, Family Solicitors, Government announces further £55m in funding for childcare schemes

The government has announced a £55 million boost in funding for free childcare schemes, which will create nearly 18,000 new childcare places to help deliver 30 hours of free childcare.

Early Years Minister Caroline Dinenage said that £50 million in capital grants would double government investment, to help nurseries, pre-schools and playgroups invest in new buildings and upgrade facilities.

This will deliver more than 9,000 additional childcare places – helping to deliver the government’s commitment to giving working families 30 hours of free childcare from September 2017.

The money builds on the £50m funding announced in January, doubling the total spend to £100m and providing nearly 18,000 extra childcare places.

In addition, nearly £5m will be shared by organisations helping children from disadvantaged backgrounds, or with additional needs, to access high-quality early years education, so that the government can fulfil its aim that every child can reach their full potential, regardless of their background.

The 12 opportunity areas announced by the Education Secretary will also benefit from £5m as part of the government’s latest capital investment – these areas have been identified as social mobility “cold spots” and are already benefiting from a share of £72m.

As part of its Plan for Britain, the government says it is working to create a society where success is defined by work and talent, not birth or circumstance.

Minister for the Early Years Caroline Dinenage said:

“In my visits around the country, I have heard from families whose lives have been improved by access to 30 hours.

“As part of our Plan for Britain, we want to make this a country that works for everyone, not just the privileged few – so that means removing the barriers facing parents struggling to balance their jobs with the cost of childcare.

“This investment will deliver more childcare places to working parents, giving them the benefits of 30 hours’ free childcare – while giving their children high-quality early education that sets them up for life.

“This is backed by our record £6 billion investment in childcare per year by 2020.”


Up to £5m in voluntary and community sector (VCS) grants will be shared among 13 projects working to improve the quality of early education and support professionals to deliver the 30 hours offer.

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