Education Secretary Confirms Rollout of 30 Hours Free Childcare Amid Concerns Over Availability

The UK Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has confirmed that the rollout of 30 hours of free childcare will proceed as planned by 2025. However, she cautioned that some parents may not secure their preferred nursery or childminder due to a shortage of available staff and childcare places. Phillipson criticized the previous Conservative government's approach, stating they hastily implemented a childcare pledge without a viable execution plan, leaving the Labour government to address the resulting challenges. Starting in September, working parents of children aged nine months to four years will be eligible for the expanded childcare hours, building on the existing 15 hours of funded childcare available to two-year-olds since April. The initiative aims to support working families, but the Education Secretary emphasized the importance of transparency, acknowledging that while parents will receive the promised hours, their choices may be limited in certain regions. The childcare sector is facing significant challenges, with a reported decline of approximately 1,400 registered childcare providers in England over the past year, bringing the total to around 61,800. This reduction raises concerns about the capacity to meet the increased demand for childcare services as the rollout progresses. In response to these challenges, Labour has pledged to open 3,000 additional nurseries by repurposing space in primary schools, aiming to enhance childcare availability and support for families across the country.