Nurseries’ concerns must be heeded

It should be said that this policy of extending childcare provisions is to be welcomed. The Government deserves credit for getting the ball rolling in the right direction when it comes to childcare.

Yet, free childcare for two-year-olds could be undermined at the very first hurdle owing to a lack of support for nurseries.

The Government must heed the warning of nursery leaders, who say the sector is simply not equipped to deal with the expansion of state-funded care for pre-school youngsters.

Nearly 200,000 two-year-olds across England have accessed places for 15 hours a week of subsidised childcare beginning this month – with more places expected to be confirmed in coming weeks.

The Department for Education itself has warned that a “significant minority” of providers hold waiting lists of more than six months.

There is clearly a shortfall in space and staff. The crisis in social care is a great case study of what can happen when there is a shortage of skilled workers.

Expanding free childcare will enable more parents to return to work, which is something that the country greatly needs. The country is struggling when it comes to labour shortages across the board.

It also means that more women will be able to get back to back. Too often they bear the brunt of childcare. As lawyer Hannah Strawbridge says, “if the measures increase diversity in the workplace, this will have a positive impact on the UK economy and will foster economic growth and productivity”.

While the intentions are good, the Government must be careful that this policy doesn’t fall at the first hurdle.