Provisions are up for debate

BARNSLEY Council’s ruling cabinet members will discuss the extension of childcare provision in Barnsley at a meeting on Wednesday.

It follows the announcement in the Chancellor’s spring budget statement last year, which outlined several planned changes due to take place.

The changes include working parents with children aged two being able to access 15 hours of free childcare and working parents with children aged nine months up to three years of age being able to access 15 hours of free childcare from September this year.

In addition, the costs of childcare for parents in receipt of Universal Credit with young children and who are moving into work or increasing their hours of employment will now be paid up front rather than in arrears.

The maximum amount which can be claimed will increase to £951 for one child and £1,630 for two children.

This equates to an increase of 50 per cent.

A pilot programme of incentive payments amounting to £600 will be paid to anyone entering the child-care profession – or £1,200 for anyone joining via an agency.

Members will be asked to approve proposals which will ensure the management of the expansion and entitlements rollout runs smoothly.

Coun Trevor Cave, cabinet spokesperson for children’s services, said: “In Barnsley, children and families benefit from access to a strong early years sector, with the quality of provision better than the national average.

“We will work in partnership with the sector, settings and schools to support them with expansion or the establishment of new provision.

“These changes will provide more families with young children greater help in accessing childcare and support them to start or stay in work. It will enable more children to obtain a good start in life and achieve a good level of development by the time they start full-time school.”