The spending watching has said scrapping a £35 million pilot scheme is a 'significant risk'
The government's expansion of free childcare to the parents of children over nine months old is facing "significant risk", after the Department for Education cancelled a major pilot of the scheme ahead of its nationwide rollout.
Under the wider DfE plans, all eligible pre-school children of working parents will receive 30 hours of free childcare by 2025, but concerns have been raised that there has not been enough work to ensure that nurseries and childcare providers have the necessary staff and spaces to meet a massive increase in demand. By the time 30 hours of free childcare is rolled out in September 2025, around 85,000 extra nursery spaces and 40,000 further staff are expected to be needed to carry out the policy.
The report stated: “In extending entitlements, the Government’s primary aim is to encourage more parents into work. Even if DfE successfully navigates the significant uncertainties, it remains unclear whether the extension will achieve its primary aim, represent value for money and not negatively impact DfE’s wider priorities relating to quality and closing the disadvantaged attainment gap.”
“Despite the crucial role providers will play in delivering these reforms, consultation with the sector was hampered by the restrictions that apply when developing budget proposals. DfE then cancelled early testing plans, which exacerbated the significant uncertainty about the sector’s capacity and financial sustainability.
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