Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Legal News

Staffordshire County Council has eight million hours of free childcare on offer (8 August 2017)

Date: 08/08/2017
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Staffordshire County Council has eight million hours of free childcare on offer

Staffordshire County Council says that it has eight million free childcare hours on offer to working parents of three- and four-year-olds from 1 September.

In 2016, Staffordshire trialled the government’s increased offer of childcare from 15 to 30 hours – and the scheme is now being rolled out nationally.

Parents are being reminded that they need to check if they qualify and sign up for the scheme in advance to secure the 30 hours of free childcare.

Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Mark Sutton, said:

“The trial scheme showed what a huge difference these extra hours of childcare can make to people’s lives – for some families, it puts more money in their pockets by either saving on fees, or allowing a parent to go out to work; or it simply makes a massive improvement to their work-life balance.

“At the same time, the feedback from employers was that those benefiting seemed happier and more settled knowing that their childcare was sorted.

“We are encouraging parents to find out more and sign up if they qualify, before the offer goes live on 1 September.”


The council says it is estimated the parents of around 7,000 children in Staffordshire could be entitled to the childcare, which can be used during term time, or more flexibly over the year.

To be eligible, both parents, or the sole parent in a single-parent family, must earn the equivalent of at least 16 hours a week at the national minimum wage or living wage.

Mark Sutton added:

“These extra hours of high-quality childcare help children get the best start before they arrive at school – they’re fantastic for children and parents and helps businesses recruit and retain staff.”

An estimated 96% of pre-school places in Staffordshire are rated good or outstanding by Ofsted.

Duncan Lewis Child Care Lawyers

Duncan Lewis Child Care 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.

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 across England and Wales – 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 Lewis children lawyers on 0333 772 0409.

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is Spencer House, 29 Grove Hill Road, Harrow, HA1 3BN. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.