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Nadhim Zahawi 'aware of 30 hours challenges'

3 mins read Early Years Early years education Nurseries
Children's minister Nadhim Zahawi has conceded that there are "challenges" around the delivery of the government's extended 30 hours free childcare offer but has praised local authorities and providers for rising to meet them.

Zahawi, who was confirmed as children's minister earlier this month, said that more than 200,000 children around the country are benefitting from the 30 hours childcare offer, which was introduced in September 2017, and that the number of eligible parents receiving and validating their codes is growing every term. 

But he added that, while the offer is saving parents money and helping many of them get back into work or increase their hours, he is mindful that there have been difficulties with the implementation.

"I have heard, both as minister and before that, of the challenges introducing the offer has brought in some areas, as with any new policy of its kind - but I'm delighted that providers and councils have risen to meet these challenges with huge success, and I'm grateful for their incredible hard work to date," Zahawi, writing in Nursery World, said.

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