Legal News

Somerset County Council wants to hear from families on new plans that will give working parents of three- and four-year-olds 30 hours of funded childcare per week from September 2017, to find out what their childcare needs are.

New legislation will allow parents who work for at least 16 hours per week each to receive an additional 570 hours of funded childcare a year, on top of the existing 570 hours currently available to all three- and four-year-olds.

Both parents would be required to work 16 hours per week to be entitled to the additional hours – in single parent families, the parent has to work 16 hours per week.

Somerset County Council is planning ahead for the new initiative – and has developed a survey for families and for Early Years providers.

The council is particularly keen to hear from families about their expected childcare needs.

Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Councillor Frances Nicholson, said:

“I would urge anyone who thinks they may be entitled to the new funding from September 2017 to fill in the survey.

“We want to make sure that Somerset has childcare providers to suit every family – understanding the preferences of parents is vital to ensuring that we have the right nurseries, playgroups and childminders to accommodate their children.”

Duncan Lewis Children Lawyers

Duncan Lewis children lawyers can advise parents on a wide range of child care law and family matters, including parents’ duties under the Education Act 1996 and SEND maternity and paternity leave and pay, employment disputes, and rights to parental leave in the workplace.

Duncan Lewis can also advise on Section 38 enquiries, pre-proceedings meetings, children taken into Local Authority care and Court of Protection cases.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide – and Duncan Lewis advises on family and child care matters under UK law and Islamic law, as well as being able to advise on cross-border family issues, such as child care arrangements, leave to remove and international parent-child abduction.

For expert legal advice on family and child care matters, call Duncan Lewistitle=“Duncan Lewis Children Solicitors”>children lawyers on 0333 772 0409.


https://somersetnewsroom.com/2016/05/27/planning-for-your-future-childcare-needs/