From Monday, working parents in England earning up to £100,000 a year become eligible for 30 hours of free childcare per week for children aged nine months to school age. However, experts warn that disadvantaged children risk missing out on the benefits of early years education.
Analysis by the Coram Family and Childcare charity reveals that families earning less than £9,518—the threshold for eligibility—would have to pay an average of £205 per week for the same amount of early education for a child under two. The charity says a child of eligible working parents will receive three times as much government-funded early education as a disadvantaged child by school age.
The Department for Education (DfE) states that support exists for lower-income families, including 15 hours per week for two-year-olds and universal 15 hours for three- and four-year-olds. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the rollout a 'landmark moment' and a delivered promise.
Lydia Hodges, head of Coram Family and Childcare, warned that the gap between entitlements for disadvantaged children and those with working parents is 'wider than ever'. She urged steps to remove the imbalance and ensure all children have equal access to early education.
The expansion faces ongoing challenges, including recruitment and funding. The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) reported that early years workers earned 36% less than comparable workers in 2022-23. Jack Worth, NFER education workforce lead, stressed the need to address workforce challenges to meet demand.
Neil Leitch of the Early Years Alliance warned that many providers may struggle to stay open due to funding pressures and national insurance increases. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson acknowledged the difficulties but committed to expanding access without 'strings or unfair charges'.
