Ukip to allow unregistered providers to deliver 30 hours childcare offer
Gabriella Jozwiak
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Unregistered providers will be allowed to deliver government-funded childcare in an attempt to address a shortage of places, under proposals set out in Ukip's general election manifesto.
The party's manifesto includes plans to remove restrictions that currently only allow parents to use childcare providers that are registered with the education watchdog Ofsted.
The document criticises "perverse government policies" for creating a shortage of childcare places and inflated prices, and promises to "de-regulate and simplify an increasingly fragmented system".
But National Day Nurseries Association chief executive Purnima Tanuku said the proposed policy "raises safeguarding concerns".
"This proposal opens up the possibility for taxpayers' money to be used to pay for childcare at organisations that are not subject to regulation," she said.
"Free childcare is about helping parents to work but also, crucially, for their children to be safe and happy with a professional, high-quality childcare provider equipped to give them a great start to learning."
Ukip also plans to create extra childcare provision by extending primary school opening hours from 8am to 6pm in term time, to provide wraparound childcare.
It would also require local authorities to keep a register of childcare providers willing to provide childcare cover at short notice.
The party has also pledged to amend planning legislation to make play spaces compulsory in housing estates, and promote nursery or crèche provision in public buildings such as hospitals, shopping centres and airports.
In addition, it has promised to offer childminders and smaller childcare providers grants of up to £3,000 to adapt their premises and make them more accessible for children with physical or learning difficulties.
In terms of education proposals, the party has reiterated its 2015 manifesto pledge to end sex education in primary schools.
The manifesto also includes details on plans to address mental health problems among young people in schools by introducing emotional health and wellbeing into the Ofsted inspection framework, and developing a national school-based counselling strategy for England.
Ukip also wants to create 800 more grammar or technical schools that can select pupils using an 11+ entrance exam, which pupils can take up to the age of 16.
