There is now a record number of families are using children’s centres. A study by the national charity, 4Children, shows that over a million families are benefiting from Children’s Centre services and that centres are supporting two-thirds of all disadvantaged families with children under the age of five.
Childcare places have increased since 2010. There are over 100,000 more places for parents to choose from than there were in 2010.
But also helping with the cost of childcare;
(1) Increased free childcare for all 3 and 4 year olds to 15 hours a week, worth £2,400 to each family.
(2) Extended 15 hours a week of free childcare to 260,000 2-year-olds from low-income families.
(3) Legislated for tax free childcare to support families, worth up to £2,000 per child.
(4) A £1,000 transferable tax allowance for four million married couples.
(5) Universal Credit childcare support increased from 70 per cent to 85 per cent.
Pictured above is when I was delighted to attend the opening of the SureStart Centre in Waterbeach several years ago (known locally as the Dolphin Centre). Little did I know at the time that I would now be taking my wonderful baby daughter there!
