The Government has today announced measures
they are taking to broaden access to, and encourage uptake of, the
2-year-old funding offer.
You can read the full announcement here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/755-million-to-double-free-childcare-offer-for-2-year-olds
PACEY is glad that the government has listened
to our members on this issue, and has recognised the challenges
many good and outstanding childminders have experienced in
accessing funding. It’s also good to see that the Government has
accepted the case we have been making that disadvantaged families
should be enabled to access flexible, home-based settings through
this scheme, not just nursery or wrap-around settings.
However, the next step is for childminders to
step up to this challenge and prove our points, through taking up
the opportunity to offer flexible care to these most disadvantaged
families.
Liz Bayram, Chief Executive of PACEY said.
"PACEY welcomes today’s announcement of the
allocation of funding so that 260,000 disadvantaged 2-year-olds can
benefit from high quality childcare, as well as the broadening of
the eligibility criteria to include children living in low income
households or children living with a disability or Special
Educational Needs (SEN).
"It is very encouraging to see government
promoting the important role good and outstanding childminders can
play in delivering the free entitlement. We hope this national
focus will encourage more local authorities to promote childminding
to parents of qualifying children. Childminding is flexible, and
ensures the high personalised care that these very young children
deserve.
"We know most good or outstanding childminders
are still not part of local authority plans to deliver this
important initiative. PACEY will continue to encourage childminders
to talk to their local authorities about how they can be involved,
but local authorities also need effective working partnerships with
local providers, including childminders, to ensure children get the
support that best meets their needs."