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Councils distribute just fraction of funded childcare grant to providers

2 mins read Early Years
Local authorities have distributed just 5% of a £100 million government grant designed to support the roll-out of the funded childcare expansion, data shows.
Settings may have to adapt to support younger children, researchers say. Picture: Adobe Stock
Settings may have to adapt to support younger children, researchers say. Picture: Adobe Stock

The previous Conservative government announced the creation of the Childcare Expansion Capital Grant in November last year ahead of the roll-out of its new childcare policy.

The policy is designed to see all eligible working families of children aged nine months to five years old access up to 30 funded hours of childcare per week by September 2025.

The fund is also designed to support wraparound care for school-aged children.

However, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request sent to all local authorities by the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) reveals that less than £5mn of the grant has been distributed to providers by councils.

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