📢 Attention parents! A recent report has highlighted a concerning gap in access to early education for disadvantaged children. 😟 As the government expands free childcare entitlements to 30 hours a week for working families with kids aged nine months to three years, some families are still left struggling. Those without sufficient income to qualify for government support might have to shell out a whopping £205 a week for early education for their little ones under two. Meanwhile, families of two-year-olds eligible for only 15 hours of funded childcare could end up paying an average of £100 a week to top up to 30 hours.
Lydia Hodges from Coram Family and Childcare warns that this gap between entitlements for disadvantaged children and those with working parents is “wider than ever before.” She believes every child deserves equal access to early education opportunities, regardless of their parents’ circumstances. 💔
The Department for Education assures that financial support is in place for the most disadvantaged children, with all three- and four-year-olds eligible for 15 hours of funded early education per week. Yet, for parents not eligible for the full 30 hours, the costs can be daunting.
🔍 The expansion of funded childcare began rolling out in England in April 2024, with claims that it could save parents up to £7,500 annually per child. The government’s Best Start in Life strategy aims to simplify the system and make it more navigable for families.
No child should miss out on vital early education. Ensuring all children can benefit from these opportunities is crucial. Let’s bridge the gap and give every child the best start in life! 🌟 #SupportAllFamilies #EarlyEducationEquality