According to the DfE, around 40,000 more staff will need to be recruited by September 2025 to support this expansion. Early years charities acknowledge the significant challenge facing the sector in meeting this demand.
The government emphasizes its commitment to providing “maximum support to nurseries and all providers” to implement these plans effectively. The first phase of the childcare expansion commenced in April, offering 15 free hours a week during term time to eligible two-year-olds of working parents.
Initial data from the DfE indicates that approximately 79% of eligible families have already utilized the free hours for their two-year-olds, totaling 195,355 families. However, concerns remain regarding whether families can access the required days and sessions to meet their needs adequately.
As the scheme extends to include children from nine months old by September, an additional 15,000 childcare places will be necessary. By September 2025, when 30 hours of government-funded childcare will be available to all eligible pre-schoolers, an estimated 70,000 more places may be needed.
Despite efforts to expand childcare provision, challenges persist, including a decline in childcare providers due to childminders leaving the profession. Concerns also arise regarding availability, with some reports suggesting a decrease in spaces for pre-school children across various age groups.
The government asserts that all local authorities are currently meeting the demand from parents for childcare places. Additionally, plans to repurpose unused space in schools to increase the number of places are under consideration.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan emphasizes the success of the expansion plan, highlighting its role in facilitating parents’ return to work. To address recruitment challenges, pilot initiatives such as £1,000 cash incentives for new joiners have been implemented in some areas.
However, nurseries continue to face difficulties in recruitment and retention, hindering their ability to meet increasing demand for places. Improving funding rates for three and four-year-olds is seen as crucial to ensuring the sustainability of nurseries, according to industry experts.
