Parents across the UK are set to benefit from significant savings on childcare costs, thanks to new government protections against additional charges on top of the funded childcare offer.
This initiative aims to increase access to high-quality early education and put more money back into the pockets of working families.
The government has published updated guidance to ensure transparency in how funded hours are delivered. Local authorities are now supported to make all additional charges, such as those for nappies, wipes, or lunch, clear and upfront to parents. Importantly, these charges must not be a condition for parents to access their funded hours.
Central to the government's mission is giving every child the best start in life. The Plan for Change aims to prepare tens of thousands more children for school by the age of five, breaking the unfair link between background and success. By delivering on promises made to working parents, families can save up to £7,500 on average by using the full 30 hours a week of government-funded childcare support.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:
“Giving every child the best start in life is my top priority, and integral to our mission to ensure tens of thousands more children are school ready every year.
“That’s why despite the inherited challenges we face, we are pressing ahead with the investment and leadership needed to support families and make sure that every child, regardless of background, can access the high-quality early education they deserve.
“Today marks an important step towards an early years system that is accessible for parents, sustainable for providers, and better serves children’s development.”
Despite economic challenges, the government is increasing investment in early years to over £8 billion next year. This includes a dedicated £75 million expansion grant targeted at providers supporting the delivery of the expanded 30 hours of government-funded childcare starting in September. This funding will help parents with children from nine months old return to work and boost household finances.
Private and voluntary providers, including childminders, are expected to see significant impacts from this funding, with local areas receiving an average of around £500,000. Funding allocations will vary, with some of the largest areas seeing up to £2.1 million. On average, this equates to an additional £80 per two-year-old and £110 per child under two, though final amounts will depend on local circumstances.
The government continues to make progress towards its Plan for Change milestone, with thousands of early years educators benefiting from support networks and early maths training. The Stronger Practice Hubs programme, which supports early years settings in delivering high-quality education, has been funded for another year. Additionally, the Maths Champions programme, delivered in partnership with the National Day Nurseries Association and Education Endowment Foundation, launches this month. Up to 800 early years settings will benefit from this training, with evaluations showing children in these settings make an average of three months' additional progress in maths compared to their peers.
These programmes are part of broader efforts to drive high and rising standards across early education, offering improved early learning support and the training educators need to prepare children for school. The government remains committed to working closely with parents and providers to deliver ambitious reforms, ensuring tens of thousands more children develop essential skills in communication, maths, and personal, physical, and social development for the best possible life chances.
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