Nine-month-olds now eligible for free childcare even though ministers do not know how many parents will use it

12 May 2024, 00:09

Nine-month-olds are now eligible for free childcare even though ministers don't know how many parents will use it.
Nine-month-olds are now eligible for free childcare even though ministers don't know how many parents will use it. Picture: Alamy

By Chay Quinn

Nine-month-olds are now eligible for free childcare even though ministers don't know how many parents will use it.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The children's minister has told LBC he's confident there'll be enough places for the government's expanded childcare offer in England even though he doesn't know how many parents will use it.

From today, parents in work who have children older than nine months can apply for 15 hours of funded childcare a week - taking effect in September - saving them an average of £6,900 a year.

Read More: Free 15 hours of childcare expands to two-year-olds as Rishi Sunak insists he is delivering on pledge

Since last month, parents of two-year-olds have been eligible for the same amount.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a visit to Aldersyde Day Nursery in Hartlepool, North East of England as the first parents in England start to benefit from 15 hours of taxpayer-funded care for two-year-olds. Picture date: Tuesday April 2, 2024.
From today, parents in work who have children older than nine months can apply for 15 hours of funded childcare a week - taking effect in September - saving them an average of £6,900 a year. Picture: Alamy

David Johnston told LBC: "We don't at this point know exactly how many parents will take us up on this because it's a very different age group - taking this down to nine months.

"What we do is work with local authorities on a very regular basis to make sure they have the number of places for childcare they need, in the end the statutory duty is on then but we work with them to support them and make sure they have those places."

The Department for Education says all councils report they're currently meeting demand - but believes a further 15,000 childcare places will be needed in time for the autumn and another 70,000 for next September.

Last month, the National Audit Office warned the expansion of free childcare could affect the quality of provision - because of a rise in "inexperienced" staff and bigger staff-to-child supervision ratios.

London, England, UK. 2nd Feb, 2024. Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing DAVID JOHNSTON is seen in Westminster during morning media round. (Credit Image: © Tayfun Salci/ZUMA Press Wire) EDITORIAL USAGE ONLY! Not for Commercial USAGE!
David Johnston told LBC: "We don't at this point know exactly how many parents will take us up on this because it's a very different age group - taking this down to nine months.". Picture: Alamy

Natalie Wright, who's been a childminder for 14 years, previously told LBC she feared there wouldn't be enough places to support the rollout.

She said: "At the moment we've got lots of nurseries around our area that aren't able to recruit and retain the nursery workers - they're finding it very difficult.

"I do worry, it's just so hard. There's a lot of pressure and demand, we're just trying our best to accommodate the needs."

Labour has also accused the government of making pledges on childcare "without a plan".

Mr Johnston told LBC parents should be reassured.

He said "Before we even started the rollout, we saw the number of places go up by 15,000 and the number of staff go up by 13,000 - and that's before all the things we've been doing like a new recruitment campaign, financial incentives in parts of the country and significant increases in pay".

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Andrew Tate is facing allegations of trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering

Trump team 'pressuring Romania to lift restrictions on Andrew Tate'

Skyrora, a rocket company with its headquarters in Edinburgh

Scottish company promises to blast rockets into space from 2026

A petition calling for major driving licence changes has received almost 100,000 signatures

Petition calls for ban on newly-qualified drivers carrying passengers under 25

The Princess of Wales has shares portraits drawn by her three children during the half-term break.

Princess of Wales shares heartwarming portraits drawn by George, Charlotte and Louis - but who drew who?

Double Olympic champion and Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas will retire from cycling this year.

Tour de France winner and double Olympic champion Geraint Thomas to retire from cycling at end of season

A 13-year-old boy has died and five others have been arrested following  a car crash on A672 Oldham Road.

Boy, 13, dies and five others arrested as Vauxhall Corsa spins off road in horror car crash

Lisa Smith, 43, was named by Kent Police

Pictured: Mother-of-two shot dead at pub on Valentine's Day - as police search river Thames for partner

Julia Wandelt who has claimed to be Madeleine McCann

Woman who claims to be Madeleine McCann releases bombshell new DNA test results

Pope Francis will need to remain in hospital with a respiratory tract infection

Pope to remain in hospital with infection as doctors tackle 'complex clinical picture'

One lucky punter scooped £65m on the EuroMillions

Lucky UK ticket-holder claims £65m Valentine's Day EuroMillions jackpot

A life-drawing class that has been running for over 30 years has been told its models must cover-up or find a new venue.

Models at life drawing class in posh London neighbourhood told to cover up over child 'safeguarding' concerns

Exclusive
An investigation by LBC can reveal there are more than 1.1m homes sitting empty across England - the equivalent of one in every 23.

More than 1.1m homes sitting empty across England as thousands left at risk of homelessness

William Howell was found dead in the Aria Casino Hotel in August 2023

Heartbroken family of British man 'left alone to die' in Las Vegas suing ambulance company and hotel where he died

Conor Maynard shared a health update after his fall

Singer Conor Maynard gives health update after being rushed to hospital on stretcher

Lisa Smith, 43, has been named by Kent Police as the victim of the shooting on Valentine's Day

Mother-of-two shot dead at pub on Valentines’ Day is named - as tributes paid to ‘wonderful mum’

Bafta winners

Conclave and The Brutalist win big at 2025 BAFTA awards - as absent Gascón nomination met with rousing applause