Parents in limbo over ‘mayham’ of free childcare scheme, says Labour
Parents are still waiting in “limbo” because of failings in the Government’s 30 hours of free childcare scheme, Labour has said.
Shadow education minister Tracy Brabin attacked the policy for being “shrouded in secrecy, misinformation and mayhem” and said it was now time for answers from the Government.
In an urgent question on childcare, Ms Brabin said the application process was not fit for purpose – meaning parents who have been waiting for weeks still have not received their code.
Ms Brabin (pictured) said: “From the beginning, the application process was not fit for purpose – parents were not able to get their code, settings were run ragged trying to help parents, and this afternoon there are parents who have been waiting weeks and are still in limbo.”
She claimed nurseries would have to charge for extras such as such as food, nappies and activities to pay their staff and stay viable, because the 30 hours scheme had “had a negative financial impact on providers”.
Ms Brabin asked Education Minister Robert Goodwill to guarantee that he would not allow a “two-tier” system to emerge where “parents who can’t afford to pay” for the extras “don’t have access to the policy”.
But Mr Goodwill said Ms Brabin’s rhetoric did not reflect the “experience on the ground”.
Mr Goodwill said 71% of parents have found a childcare place, six days after the scheme started, which he labelled a “great success story”.
He said the amount of money being provided by the Government for childcare had been increased from £4.56 an hour to £4.94 and added: “The experience that I am getting talking to nurseries up and down the country, including some in London, is that they can deliver for that price.”
Former education minister Robert Halfon asked what help and extra resources were being given to help smaller childcare providers who were struggling with cost pressures because of the new policy.
Mr Goodwill pointed to a survey which showed eight in 10 providers would be able to offer childcare, and said 100% of providers in the pilot areas of York and Northumberland were delivering – despite initial reservations.
Under the Government’s plans, all three and four-year-olds in England will be entitled to 30 free hours of childcare a week from this month, up from 15 hours.
Mr Goodwill sought to reassure parents who experienced difficulties applying, saying those who were eligible and applied before the deadline would receive a code and “will not lose out”.
“I’m pleased to report that this is yet another key manifesto pledge delivered for working families.”
Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2017, All Rights Reserved. Picture (c) Dave Higgens / PA Wire.
