In March 2023, to increase parents’ participation in the labour market, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a significant extension to government-funded entitlements for early years education and childcare in England.
The expansion is set to be delivered in three stages, to children of working parents who meet salary thresholds:
- On 1 April 2024, the Department for Education (DfE) extended entitlements to include 15-hours a week for 2-year-olds of eligible working parents
- From September 2024, DfE will extend this 15-hour entitlement to children over 9-months-old
- From September 2025, children over 9-months-old will be entitled to access 30 hours per week
DfE launched the Early Years and Childcare Reform Programme (the Programme) to extend entitlements alongside wraparound childcare for primary-aged school children. This report assesses DfE’s progress and whether it is well-placed to manage value for money risks.
It examines:
- the background to the early years market and government-funded entitlements
- DfE’s preparations and progress in extending entitlements
- our view of the future risks DfE needs to manage to achieve value for money
