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<p>We are making record investments in the government’s free childcare offer: over
£1 billion more per year by 2020. This includes £300 million per year for a significant
increase to the hourly rates paid for two, three and four-year-old entitlement. From
April 2017, the national average funding rates also increased to £4.94 for three and
four-year-olds and £5.39 for two-year-olds. We are also investing £100m in capital
funding to create nearly 18,000 additional places for eligible children to help meet
demand from hardworking parents. This investment will support even more providers
to deliver 30 hours.</p><p> </p><p>In addition our national delivery contractor, Childcare
Works, are supporting all local authorities to ensure they are ready to deliver the
required number of free places in September 2017. Local authorities report that they
have benefitted from support with estimating demand in their local areas.</p>
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