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Notices and Press Releases

Daycare Trusts : Huge funding boost for nurseries welcomed

Daycare Trust welcomed the announcement on 22nd November by Children’s Minister Beverley Hughes of over half a billion pounds in extra funding for nurseries in the private and voluntary sector.

“This will be a huge help in delivering the increase to 15 hours a week free childcare for three and four year olds, something that Daycare Trust thinks will be an enormous help to parents and children. It’s been clear for some time that some nurseries have been struggling with the funding available to provide the free entitlement of 12 and a half hours a week and we are very happy to see the government recognising the need for extra investment.,” said Alison Garnham, Joint-chief Executive.

“We also welcome the Minister’s announcement that some of the funding will be used to help smaller providers deliver flexible care. Parents need childcare to fit their working hours, not at times to suit providers and with 87 per cent of parents working ‘atypical’ hours, many part-time, this is one of the key problem areas which parents report to us.”

Daycare Trust is also pleased that outdoor play areas are one of the areas earmarked for extra investment as part of the funding package.

“When children are asked what they would improve about their childcare setting, more and better outdoor play facilities always come high on the list,” she said.

“We’re also delighted that funding will be used to equip nurseries with facilities for disabled children. Our research tells us that the needs of families caring for a child with a disability for high-quality childcare are especially acute. We are delighted that the needs of this particularly vulnerable group are being recognised by the government in this way.”