More places needed to fulfil childcare pledges
Up to 304 places could be needed to help parents and carers
- Published
Hundreds of extra childcare places are needed in York to help eligible parents and carers claim more free childcare hours, a council report has said.
Up to 304 places could be needed so families can take up the government’s plans to offer up to 30 hours of free childcare each week by September 2025, the study said.
The council has approved £922,800 to expand early years and wraparound places in the city in an effort to try and increase availability.
Councillor Bob Webb, executive member for children, said the pressure was now on to create the number of places required.
Webb said: “This is the starting gun for that process, expansion is going to be a challenge, a big one.
“Expansion of places will get more adults into work but we should also not lose sight of the benefits to young people themselves.”
A further 390 wraparound places, such as at breakfast clubs and after-school clubs, may also be needed.
York Council has received £333,600 to create early years and wraparound places in places where demand is expected to outstrip supply, including by expanding physical capacity.
The Department for Education has also given the council a further £579,200 to support the expansion of wraparound care.
But the report stated current estimates revealed there would be a shortage of places by September 2025, especially for under-threes, unless enough were created in the meantime.
It stated that between 33 and 117 full-time places could be created in early years if providers convert existing places but, if not, then up to 304 new spaces would be needed.
The report added an extra 390 wraparound places should be created at York schools or 1,008 if private, voluntary and independent providers are included.
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