Extending free childcare to 2-year-olds
Labour’s draft manifesto has been leaked, this includes further plans for the existing childcare system. It has been dismissed as only being a draft. the 45-page document talks about extending the 30hrs free entitlement to all two-year-olds as well as making childcare available for one-year-olds.
The 30hrs free childcare pledge made by the conservatives is underfunded. leaving many providers opting out of offering the scheme, the labours drafts manifestos would still look at offering the free hours but would support it by committing to invest significant capital investment during the first two years in Government. This capital investment would enable families to access childcare places.
The draft manifesto also talks about increasing staff wages and staff training, as well as moving to a graduate led workforce. As mentioned this is only a draft manifesto, many people hope before publishing the final manifesto that political parties communicate with professionals working in the early years to hear their views, especially if they are considering offering the free entitlement to 2-year-olds.
Instead of making all these pledges, further investment is needed in supporting childcare providers to ensure they will be around in the future to offer high-quality childcare.