Childcare plan will not work without more money – MPs

England parliament members say the government’s plan to expand funded childcare for working parents will not work unless the amount paid to providers is right.

The Education Committee reports that Underfunding has left the sector straining to provide enough places for children in childcare.

The government says it is increasing the amount it pays childcare providers.

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Working parents of three and four-year-olds are eligible for 30 hours of government-funded childcare during term time -but by September 2025, this will be extended to cover children aged nine months and above.

Robin Walker, who chairs the committee, said the childcare market faced significant challenges in affordability and availability and simply extending the number of hours that the government calls free will not work unless the funding rates accurately reflect the costs of providing high-quality early education and childcare”.

Chief executive, National Day Nurseries Association, Purnima Tanuku agrees the policy could fail if it fails to tackle underfunding.

The Department for Education said it was rolling out the single biggest investment in childcare in England ever, set to save a working parent using 30 hours of childcare up to an average of £6,500 per year and give children the best quality early-years education.