Launch day chaos for free childcare scheme

THE Tory flagship policy of 30 hours’ free nursery care is in “chaos” on its launch day, pre-school providers claim.

They warned Government is turning a blind eye to serious underfunding of the scheme.

From today, three and fouryear-olds will be eligible for the 30 hours of free weekly nursery education if both parents work.

But the Pre-school Learning Alliance said families face rising childcare costs and a squeeze on places as a result of the scheme.

Chief executive Neil Leitch said: “The launch of the 30 hours offer should have been a day of celebration. Instead, all we have is a policy in chaos.” Doubling the entitlement in England from 15 hours was a key pledge in the Tories’ 2015 election manifesto.

They say it should save around 390,000 eligible families some £5,000 a year in childcare costs.

Yet in a survey by PSLA, representing 14,000 nursery providers, 74% of its members said current funding would not cover the free places, citing an average shortfall of 18%. More than half (52%) said they would have to raise charges for meals, snacks and trips, and nearly half (49%) would have to increase fees for extra hours.

The scheme has been beset with issues. Of 200,000 applicants, more than 80,000 were still waiting to be guaranteed a place.

Technical issues with its online system have been blamed, while the survey of 1,400 nurseries and childminders found 42% feared being unable to meet demand.

Mr Leitch said: “Government’s refusal to tackle the fundamental problem of underfunding has left providers struggling to find ways of delivering the offer that won’t force them out of business.

“It is unacceptable for Government to continue to turn a blind eye to the situation it’s created.”

The Department for Education said more than 15,000 children were already using the scheme, adding: “We know from our evaluation providers are committed to offering 30 hours and the additional hours are… taking huge pressures off families’ finances.

“We are investing a record £6billion every year by 2020 in childcare, more than ever before.” m.ellis@mirror.co.uk