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York and seven other cities and local authorities launch government’s 30-hour free childcare pilot (5 September 2016)

Date: 05/09/2016
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, York and seven other cities and local authorities launch government’s 30-hour free childcare pilot

City of York Council has launched the start of the new 30 hours childcare pilot, as one of the first areas in England to offer 30 hours of free childcare support to parents from 1 September, so they can balance work with their family lives.

York is one of eight areas across the country to be chosen, following huge demand from local areas to take part in delivering the offer a year early.

The offer means that an additional 15 hours free childcare is available for many working parents of three- and four-year-olds in the area – as long as they earn the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the national minimum or living wage.

The eight areas chosen are York, Wigan, Staffordshire, Swindon, Portsmouth, Hertfordshire, Newham and Northumberland. They are involved in getting the programme’s delivery right, so that the rest of the country can offer the scheme in September 2017.

In York, 166 providers signed up to the pilot – this represents 72% of the city’s schools, day nurseries, play groups, childminders and independent schools committing to the programme.

City of York Council’s Executive Member for Education, Children and Young People at City of York Council, Councillor Stuart Rawlings, said:

“We’re delighted to be part of this pilot, with its far reaching benefits – and have been working tirelessly with government, parents and providers to make it as successful as possible.

“We’ve had a fantastic sign-up rate from providers, meaning that we can offer eligible families the additional hours – which will make juggling the work life balance that much easier.”

The 30-hour free childcare offer builds on the investment being made in childcare – rising from £5 billion to £6bn per year by 2020.

The aim is to make it easier for parents to work and earn more in the years before their children start school – and will also provide a financial boost to working parents who already pay for childcare.

Parents will also be able to reserve places ahead of time – before their child turns three – to ensure their working patterns are not disrupted.

Lesley Calvert – manager of Funfishers pre-school and out-of-school club, a charitable provider based on the Fishergate Primary School site – said:

“I think the programme will be of positive benefit to working parents who have to manage childcare bills.

“As a setting, I’m confident that through working with other providers and the local authority within our partnership, we will make the pilot a success and enable its rollout in September 2017.”

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Duncan Lewis family solicitors can advise on a wide range of family and child care law – including advising on parental rights in the workplace, discrimination at work, maternity and paternity leave and pay, and parental leave.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide – and our family lawyers are also able to advise on employment tribunals involving disciplinary action, redundancy, unfair dismissal or constructive dismissal.

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For expert legal advice on family and child care law, call Duncan Lewis family solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

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