The Childcare Bill reaches final stages in the House of Commons
The Childcare Bill is reaching it’s final stages in the House of Commons and is set to become law within weeks. The Childcare Bill will be read at the House of Commons before it is returned to the House of Lords where here it will be decided whether the bill stands.
The introduction of this 30 hr childcare is causing chaos leaving a gap in funding and this is only set to rise at the end of this parliament.
Labour are asking for considerations of amendment to the Childcare Bill, the amendments concentrate on publishing an impact assessment within 12 months of the Childcare Bill becoming law. This assessment will look closely at the effects of the 30 hrs on the supply of childcare places, quality of childcare, readiness of children starting school, proportion of parents in work, availability and quality childcare for children with Special Educational Needs and Disability and the cost of childcare for those parents who are not eligible.
A second amendment is aimed at the government to look at how the 30 hrs childcare is having an impact on closing the attainment and development gap.
Lucy Powell said, ‘The Government’s childcare plans are in complete chaos. One in three working parents promised free childcare by David Cameron at the last election will now miss out because ministers are unable to make the funding for their manifesto childcare pledge add up. Their back of a fag-packet calculations mean that many families who thought they would get more help with childcare will receive none and despite reducing eligibility by 200,000 families, the Government still has a half a billion black hole in their plans.
Where does this leave nursery provider? as there is no clear stately as to how to raise the quality of childcare. The funding amount that is given to nurseries to provide this 30hrs childcare isn’t enough for childcare providers, leaving many nurseries with a financial worry.
Childcare minister Sam Gyimah said, ‘This Government is doing more than any other to support working families. Doubling the entitlement to free childcare is a key part of this.
‘Suggesting our commitment is underfunded is nonsense. We are the only party who promised to increase the funding rate paid to providers – we are delivering on this through an additional £300 million to the hourly rate.
We wait to hear the outcome of this Childcare Bill and where it will leave parents and nursery providers.