Labour ministers have made a significant change to a key government policy by banning the phrase “free childcare” amidst growing anger over nursery fees. The decision comes as Tory Jeremy Hunt’s announcement last year to provide 30 “free” hours of childcare for children aged 9 months and older faced criticism from Labour, who labelled it a “pledge without a plan.” Despite this, the new government will continue with the policy, aiming for a large expansion of provision starting next September.
In a shift in approach, the word “free” will no longer be used to describe the childcare hours, with ministers opting to refer to them as “funded” instead. The change is intended to clarify expectations for the scheme, as parents may still be charged additional fees for items such as food and nappies. Critics argue that the impression given by the policy is misleading, as the 30 hours are only available during term time or for 38 weeks per year, leading to increased costs for parents during uncovered hours.
Concerns have been raised over nurseries charging extra fees to make up for funding shortfalls in the government scheme, resulting in parents facing fee hikes of up to 15 per cent. In response to this, ministers have announced measures to tackle nurseries charging prohibited ‘top-up’ fees, aiming to ensure that parents have access to affordable childcare options.
Education minister Stephen Morgan explained the reasoning behind the decision to stop using the term “free childcare,” emphasising that the places are indeed funded rather than entirely free. However, Neil Leitch from the Early Years Alliance charity expressed reservations about the change in terminology, warning that it could create confusion and place additional financial pressure on childcare providers. Ultimately, the sustainability of early years provision hinges on adequate funding to meet delivery costs and make childcare affordable for all families.
The move to ban the phrase “free childcare” reflects the government’s efforts to be transparent about the realities of the funding scheme and address concerns raised by parents and childcare providers alike. By shifting the focus to “funded” childcare, ministers aim to set clear expectations for how the scheme operates and the financial implications for parents using childcare services.