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1142887

	registered interest
	date	02/09/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Children: Day Care
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many weeks is the offering of 30 hours free childcare spread across the year.
	tabling member constituency	Belfast South
	tabling member printed	Emma Little Pengelly
	uin	284412
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2019 answer text <p>​We want parents to have access to a range of affordable childcare, giving them increased flexibility in their working hours and helping children thrive in the crucial early years. That is why the Department for Education is investing £3.5 billion in our early education offers this year alone.</p><p>The 30 hours childcare entitlement provides an additional 570 hours of funded childcare to working parents of 3 and 4 year olds across the year. The 570 hours are in addition to the 570 hours already provided under the universal 15 hours free childcare entitlement. While many providers will offer 30 hours of funded childcare per week during term time (38 weeks of the year), all free entitlements can be ‘stretched’ by taking fewer hours per week over up to 52 weeks of the year to cover both term-time and the school holidays.</p><p>To ensure that parents can make informed decisions on their choice of childcare, the department’s statutory guidance for local authorities states that providers should publish a statement of how they deliver the free entitlements and any additional charges they impose for optional activities outside of the entitlement.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Mrs Kemi Badenoch question first answered 06/09/2019 16:52:01 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
	tabling member	4611 label Biography information for Emma Little Pengelly

1364319

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2021
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Children: Day Care
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that families have access to wrap-around childcare, including after-school clubs.
	tabling member constituency	Wolverhampton South West
	tabling member printed	Stuart Anderson
	uin	65506
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2021 answer text <p>​Ensuring parents can continue to access childcare remains a priority for the government. The department recognises the important role wraparound childcare, such as before and after-school clubs, plays in providing additional childcare options to parents and carers, as well as providing enriching activities and promoting the wellbeing of children. We have prioritised these childcare settings to help them remain open throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, and continue to encourage schools to ensure they are offering this provision.</p><p> </p><p>Parents have the ‘right to request’ wraparound childcare, and the department has published guidance for schools on how to respond to such requests which is available here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/778997/Rights_to_request_guidance-2019.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/778997/Rights_to_request_guidance-2019.pdf</a>. Schools should not refuse a request without a reasonable justification.</p><p> </p><p>All local authorities also have a legal duty to ensure there are sufficient childcare places, so far as is reasonably practicable, for working parents in their area with children aged 0-14, or up to 18 for disabled children. Parents may contact their local Family Information Service who can give provide advice on childcare providers in their area.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced on 27 October, that the department will be providing over £200 million a year for the continuation of the Holiday Activities and Food programme, which provides enriching activities and healthy meals for disadvantaged children during school holidays. Local authorities will be able to use the funding for this programme, which is delivered through grants, to arrange childcare provision.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 05/11/2021 12:15:13 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4742 label Biography information for Stuart Anderson

1274247

	registered interest
	date	06/01/2021
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Children: Day Care
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate his Department has made of the effect of the January 2021 covid-19 lockdown on demand for childcare; and what plans he has to change funding arrangements for early years providers in the Spring term of 2021 due to the lockdown and potential implications for setting occupancy levels.
	tabling member constituency	Hampstead and Kilburn
	tabling member printed	Tulip Siddiq
	uin	134022
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2021 answer text <p>Whilst we recognise childcare attendance has been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, we saw attendance rise over the autumn term from 482,000 on 10 September 2020 to 759,000 on 17 December 2020. On 17 December 2020, the government therefore announced a return to funding early years settings on the basis on attendance. In line with the existing and unchanged statutory guidance local authorities should ensure that providers are not penalised for short-term absences of children, for example sickness, arriving late or leaving early, or a family emergency through withdrawing funding, but use their discretion where absence is recurring or for extended periods, taking into account the reason for the absence and the impact on the provider.</p><p>We will fund local authorities in the 2021 spring term based on their January 2021 census. If attendance rises after the census is taken, we will top-up councils to up to 85% of their January 2020 census level, where a local authority can provide evidence for increased attendance during the spring term. This will give local authorities additional financial confidence to pay providers for increasing attendance later in the spring term.</p><p>For more info on use of Early Years Dedicated Schools Grant in Spring 2021, please see here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/use-of-free-early-education-entitlements-funding-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/use-of-free-early-education-entitlements-funding-during-coronavirus-covid-19" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/use-of-free-early-education-entitlements-funding-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/use-of-free-early-education-entitlements-funding-during-coronavirus-covid-19</a>.</p><p>The early years sector has benefitted from the continuation of early years entitlement funding during the during the Summer and Autumn terms in 2020, and providers have been able to furlough their staff via the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme. As long as the staff meet the other criteria for the scheme, schools and early years providers are able to furlough their staff if they have experienced a drop in either their income from parents or government. Eligible nurseries can also benefit from a business rates holiday and can access the business loans as set out by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer.</p><p>We stay in regular contact with the early years sector, including on this subject. We will be closely monitoring both parental take-up of places and the capacity and responses of providers.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 27/01/2021 17:34:06 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
	tabling member	4518 label Biography information for Tulip Siddiq

1219721

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Children: Day Care
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for providing childcare for the children of key workers during the school summer holiday.
	tabling member printed	Lord Storey
	uin	HL6385
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2020 answer text <p>When state schools in a local area have closed for the summer term, children of all ages may attend holiday clubs and other out-of-school provision in that area, including the children of critical workers. This follows confirmation from my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, that from Saturday 4 July, these providers can operate over the summer holiday, with safety measures in place.</p><p>The department has published guidance for providers who run holiday clubs and other out-of-school provision for children over the age of 5, setting out the safety measures that must be in place to ensure they can operate over the summer holiday, which is available here:<br><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protective-measures-for-holiday-or-after-school-clubs-and-other-out-of-school-settings-for-children-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protective-measures-for-holiday-or-after-school-clubs-and-other-out-of-school-settings-for-children-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak</a>.</p><p>Providers caring for children under the age of 5 should refer to the guidance for early years and childcare providers during the COVID-19 outbreak, which is available here:<br> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures#who-this-guidance-is-for" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures#who-this-guidance-is-for</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge question first answered 13/07/2020 10:41:28 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
	tabling member	4238 label Biography information for Lord Storey

1184711

	registered interest
	date	12/03/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Children: Day Care
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding his Department plans to allocate to the provision of flexible childcare services (a) in term time and (b) during school holidays in each of the next five years.
	tabling member constituency	Hampstead and Kilburn
	tabling member printed	Tulip Siddiq
	uin	28681
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/03/2020 answer text <p>We want to give parents the freedom, support and choice to look after their children in the way that works best for them. As set out in the government’s manifesto, we will invest up to £1 billion over three years to create more high-quality wraparound and holiday childcare places from 2021.</p><p> </p><p>Further details on this significant new investment will be announced in due course.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 17/03/2020 16:59:49 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
	tabling member	4518 label Biography information for Tulip Siddiq

1201960

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Children: Day Care
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether parents unable to utilise their 30 hours free childcare entitlement during the covid-19 lockdown will be able to carry those unused hours over for use during the summer holidays 2020.
	tabling member constituency	Elmet and Rothwell
	tabling member printed	Alec Shelbrooke
	uin	57179
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2020 answer text <p>We want parents to have access to a range of affordable childcare, giving them increased flexibility in their working hours and helping children thrive in the crucial early years. The government-funded early years entitlements deliver 15 or 30 hours a week of free, high quality, flexible childcare for eligible two, three and four-year-olds for 38 weeks a year.</p><p>The government wants to support nurseries, pre-schools and childminders during what must be a worrying and uncertain time. On 17 March, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, confirmed the government would continue to pay funding to local authorities for the free entitlements for two, three and four-year-olds during the period of closures, providing reassurance for early years settings in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. This entitlement funding has continued to be paid to providers to try and ensure that once the lockdown measures are eased and people return to work, there remains sufficient childcare for all those who need it.</p><p>These entitlements, therefore, cannot be accrued for time not spent in the setting and so parents will not be able to carry over unused hours for use in the summer holidays.</p><p>From 1 June, childcare settings have been able to reopen for children of all ages.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 17/06/2020 15:50:21 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
	tabling member	3997 label Biography information for Sir Alec Shelbrooke

1195073

	registered interest
	date	12/05/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Children: Day Care
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of (a) extending the 30 hours of free childcare available to parents of pre-schoolers to the parents of older children and (b) extending that provision to parents of pre-school age children who may have already started school but now require childcare during the covid-19 outbreak.
	tabling member constituency	Sheffield, Hallam
	tabling member printed	Olivia Blake
	uin	46202
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2020 answer text <p>We want parents to have access to a range of affordable childcare, giving them increased flexibility in their working hours and helping children thrive in the crucial early years. The government-funded early years entitlements deliver 15 or 30 hours a week of free, high quality and flexible childcare for eligible 2 year olds, 3 year olds and 4 year olds for 38 weeks a year.</p><p> </p><p>There are currently no plans to extend the 30 hours entitlement to the parents of older children. Vulnerable children and the children of critical workers are able to attend school at the moment.</p><p> </p><p>There is support available for parents with childcare costs outside of the free early education entitlements. Tax-Free Childcare can save parents up to £2,000 per child on their annual childcare bill for children aged under 12 (or for children up to 17 for children with special educational needs or disabilities). Eligible families can also receive help with 85% of their childcare costs through Universal Credit, subject to a monthly limit. For further information, please visit <a href="https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/</a>.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 18/05/2020 14:53:25 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
	tabling member	4864 label Biography information for Olivia Blake

1142878

	registered interest
	date	02/09/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Children: Day Care
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the cost to the public purse was of the 30 hour free childcare scheme in England in the 2018-19 financial year.
	tabling member constituency	Belfast South
	tabling member printed	Emma Little Pengelly
	uin	284395
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p>We want parents to have access to a range of affordable childcare, giving them increased flexibility in their working hours and helping children thrive in the crucial early years. That is why the department is investing £3.5 billion in our early education offers this year alone. The cost of 30 hours free childcare is set in table 1, attached. The total for 2017-18 is due to rounding.</p><p>The number of children that have benefitted from 30 hours free childcare in each year is set out in table 2, attached.</p><p>In total, around 600,000 children aged 3 and 4 years old benefitted from a 30 hours place throughout the first 2 years of delivery.</p><p>We do not hold data on estimates of the number of parents that have benefitted from the 30 hours entitlement in England.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Mrs Kemi Badenoch grouped question UIN 284299 284402 285420 285422 question first answered 09/09/2019 14:23:32 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch attachment 1 file name 284299_284395_284402_285420_285422_30_hours_childcare.xls title 284299_284395_284402_285420_285422_table
	tabling member	4611 label Biography information for Emma Little Pengelly

1142882

	registered interest
	date	02/09/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Children: Day Care
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many people used the 30 hours free childcare scheme in England in (a) 2017-18 and (b) 2018-19.
	tabling member constituency	Belfast South
	tabling member printed	Emma Little Pengelly
	uin	284402
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p>We want parents to have access to a range of affordable childcare, giving them increased flexibility in their working hours and helping children thrive in the crucial early years. That is why the department is investing £3.5 billion in our early education offers this year alone. The cost of 30 hours free childcare is set in table 1, attached. The total for 2017-18 is due to rounding.</p><p>The number of children that have benefitted from 30 hours free childcare in each year is set out in table 2, attached.</p><p>In total, around 600,000 children aged 3 and 4 years old benefitted from a 30 hours place throughout the first 2 years of delivery.</p><p>We do not hold data on estimates of the number of parents that have benefitted from the 30 hours entitlement in England.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Mrs Kemi Badenoch grouped question UIN 284299 284395 285420 285422 question first answered 09/09/2019 14:23:32 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch attachment 1 file name 284299_284395_284402_285420_285422_30_hours_childcare.xls title 284299_284395_284402_285420_285422_table
	tabling member	4611 label Biography information for Emma Little Pengelly

1142886

	registered interest
	date	02/09/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Children: Day Care
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many parents use the 30 hours free childcare scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Belfast South
	tabling member printed	Emma Little Pengelly
	uin	284299
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p>We want parents to have access to a range of affordable childcare, giving them increased flexibility in their working hours and helping children thrive in the crucial early years. That is why the department is investing £3.5 billion in our early education offers this year alone. The cost of 30 hours free childcare is set in table 1, attached. The total for 2017-18 is due to rounding.</p><p>The number of children that have benefitted from 30 hours free childcare in each year is set out in table 2, attached.</p><p>In total, around 600,000 children aged 3 and 4 years old benefitted from a 30 hours place throughout the first 2 years of delivery.</p><p>We do not hold data on estimates of the number of parents that have benefitted from the 30 hours entitlement in England.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Mrs Kemi Badenoch grouped question UIN 284395 284402 285420 285422 question first answered 09/09/2019 14:23:32 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch attachment 1 file name 284299_284395_284402_285420_285422_30_hours_childcare.xls title 284299_284395_284402_285420_285422_table
	tabling member	4611 label Biography information for Emma Little Pengelly