Nottinghamshire County Council has been allocated just over £5m as part of national plans for the expansion of wraparound care for primary school children, and is encouraging providers to apply for funding.
The county council is working with providers of early years education and childcare and wraparound childcare to ensure there are sufficient places available to support working families. Wraparound childcare provides care outside of regular school hours and is aimed at helping parents to access more childcare and to work the hours they want to.
The council’s funding is to be allocated to childcare providers over the next two years to expand the number of places available in areas where there is demand for more places.
Providers offering childcare and early education for children under five can apply for funding to extend their provision to meet the demand for places for children under three. Schools and wraparound providers can apply for funding to create or develop childcare places wrapped around the school day for primary school aged children.
The council has sent a funding pack to all of Nottinghamshire’s Ofsted registered providers including schools, explaining the process of applying and the support available.
Councillor Tracey Taylor, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: “It is vital for working families to have appropriate childcare for their child outside of school hours. The council will be working with schools and providers to support the expansion. Ensuring that wraparound care is available right across the county will deliver more choice and flexibility for parents, better meeting their needs.
“The county council remains committed to giving children the best start in life and this is an exciting opportunity for providers and schools to offer broader support for families beyond the school day.”
As is the case currently, providers will set their own charges for wraparound places, so prices will vary and parents will continue to pay their wraparound childcare provider for their child’s place.
The funding is part of the ambition to offer term time childcare from 8am to 6pm, at every primary school by September 2026.
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