Key Points:
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is set to unveil a plan to create 3,300 creches using £140 million from Labour's VAT raid on private schools.
Working parents of two-year-olds can claim 15 hours a week of free care during term time, with plans to expand to parents with kids over nine months in September.
Labour faces questions over recruitment of 40,000 staff needed by September next year for the childcare expansion.
Labour's Childcare Expansion Plan
Empty primary school classrooms are set to undergo a transformation into nurseries as part of a government initiative to create 100,000 new childcare places. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is gearing up to reveal a plan that involves setting up 3,300 creches, funded by £140 million from Labour's VAT levy on private schools.
Free Childcare for Working Parents
Under the proposed scheme, working parents of two-year-olds will have access to 15 hours of free care per week during term time. This benefit is slated to extend to parents with children over nine months starting this September. Moreover, eligible parents can anticipate the doubling of free childcare to 30 hours a week from September 2025.
Challenges and Criticisms
Despite the ambitious childcare expansion plans, Labour is facing scrutiny over the recruitment of an estimated 40,000 staff by next September. Concerns have been raised regarding the availability of resources to meet the demands of the increased childcare provision.
Government Response
In response to criticisms, a government source highlighted the need for additional places and staff to fulfill the promises made by the previous Conservative government. The source emphasized that accountability lies with the Tories for any potential setbacks in parents securing their preferred nursery choices.
