Decision details

There is a Government programme to ensure that:

•  In November 2023 the government announced grant funding for all local authorities as part of the rollout of two programmes aimed at increasing take-up and availability of childcare across England for working families. The programmes aim create or extend wraparound care for school aged children from 8am to 6pm, as well as establishing funded early education for eligible children aged 9 months upwards.

•  From April 2024 eligible working parents of 2 year olds were able to access 15 hours of funded early education for their child. From September 2024, eligible working parents of children aged 9 months to 3 years old can access 15 hours’ childcare support (funded places). From September 2025, eligible working parents of children aged between 9 months and 5 years old will be entitled to 30 hours of (funded) childcare support.

•  From September 2024, there will be an increase in the number of wraparound childcare places available across England.

To support these programmes, capital and revenue grant funding has been provided to Local Authorities to support the creation/expansion of these places.

The decision requested will be to accept receipt of the grant funding and to approve the bidding process and allocation of the funds for the current and any future bidding rounds.

Please see attached report.

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