SCORES of Barnsley parents and carers are set to be better off thanks to a ‘game-changing’ scheme which has enabled them to access 30 hours of free childcare.
A government pledge to ease the financial strain on families has been delivered with projections suggesting that the move will save £7,500 per year per child.
Alongside this support, almost 200 new school-based nurseries are opening across the country, including at Shafton Primary Academy.
These new nurseries will provide families with better access to high-quality childcare, enabling them to better balance work and family life, according to ministers.
Parents will also be able to access the new Best Start In Life website to offer support beyond the nursery door, with everything they need to give their children the best start in their early years and beyond.
The steps have been welcomed by Barnsley’s three Labour MPs - Dan Jarvis, Stephanie Peacock and Marie Tidball.
Dan told the Chronicle: “I’m pleased to welcome the roll-out of 30 hours a week funded childcare and the opening of new school-based nurseries.
“I know that this will be a game-changer for families across Barnsley and will help parents and carers stay in work, ease the cost of living, and give every child the best possible start in life.”
In the months ahead, the Best Start In Life website will expand with new guidance and content, becoming a ‘go-to destination’ for families navigating the early years and beyond - so they can play their vital role in getting their children school-ready.
Stephanie added: “I know that this will make such a difference to people in Barnsley who are managing work and family life.
“This Labour government are taking steps like this to bring about real change for families like those across Barnsley.”
Marie said it was vital that parents and carers received the right support.
“Throughout their 14 years in government, the Conservatives gutted community-based early years support, undoing the work of previous Labour governments.
“My mum was also the head of Meynell Nursery, at the edge of our constituency, when I was growing up.
“This taught me how crucial it is to support families in the early years of children’s lives and led me to become a governor of a children’s centre for six years.
“Labour is now providing parents with the wraparound support, including free breakfast clubs, free school meals for more children, 30 hours of government-funded childcare, and bringing down the cost of school uniforms.
“I’m looking forward to hearing about how the Labour government is making life easier for parents and working towards providing every child with the best start in life.”
