Children to spend longer at nursery in a Government scheme to help working parents
The government is holding a consultation to help working parents, the scheme will mean that a nursery would open longer as early as 6am and close at 8pm. The consultation will also look into the impact of allowing a nursery to open 7 days a week. The Government will invest £1billion in childcare to help boost employment amongst mothers.
The extension of childcare hours is great for working parents but has there been much thought go into how this would have an impact on the actual child. Many children have difficulties being separated from their main carer for short periods of time so by making this time longer this may cause more stress on the child.
Nurseries and childminders will be asked to make a bid which will allow them to offer the free service, these extended hours will save many families around £2500 a year.
Many parents nowadays work shift patterns and struggle to find a nursery to accommodate these hours, however by making childcare more flexible this would help these parents. A flexible approach is very much welcomed by Sam Gyimah, the education, and childcare minister.
Sleep expert Paul Kelley, president of the education section of the British Science Association, said: ‘I strongly urge the government to explore the impact of such early wake times on children’s health and wellbeing before proceeding.’
Claire Paye of Mothers at Home Matter added: ‘Even adults don’t do ten hours a day