Labour has promised to maintain the recently expanded childcare scheme in England, which provides working parents of two-year-olds with 15 hours of government-funded childcare per week during term time. This commitment was made as the scheme commenced on April 1st, with further plans to extend it to children over nine months starting from September. The ultimate goal is a full rollout of 30 hours a week for all eligible families within one year. These assurances come amid discussions about the feasibility and future of the £4 billion childcare plan, which faces scrutiny over nurseries’ ability to accommodate the increased demand.

Despite earlier uncertainties, Labour confirmed its intention not to cut the number of free childcare hours if elected to power. However, questions linger over whether they will fulfill the government’s promise to extend free hours to 30 a week by September 2025. The issue has become a focal point in the political arena, particularly as Labour leads in polls and the country anticipates a potential election.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan criticized Labour for not providing clear solutions to the perceived shortcomings of the current childcare system. In contrast, Labour criticizes the plan for lack of adequate provision for creating extra places. Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Keegan defended the government’s phased rollout strategy, aiming to gradually build capacity. They pointed to significant registration for the initiative, with 150,000 families signing up, and an increase in childcare sector staff.

However, concerns about the availability of childcare places have grown, as reports indicate a decline in nursery and childminder spaces for pre-school children across England, Scotland, and Wales in 2023. The next phases of the scheme’s rollout will offer 15 hours to nine-month-olds from September 2024 and aim for 30 hours for all under-fives by September 2025, with eligibility for parents earning between £8,670 and £100,000 annually.