New figures from Josh MacAlister reveal local parents are set to save an estimated £39 million over this school year thanks to government childcare support after the funded childcare entitlement for eligible working parents of children aged nine months to two doubled from 15 to 30 hours last September. The analysis, based on the latest DfE figures, reveals the total saving for parents of 4,883 children aged 9 months to 2 years old in Cumbria.
Research has found government-funded childcare has cut costs on childcare for families in half, with working parents now saving an average of £8,000 a year.
According to Coram Family and Childcare’s annual Childcare Survey, costs of a part-time childcare place have now dropped back to the same level as 2005 – reversing more than two decades of rising costs in just two years and giving more children the very best start in life.
The Coram report finds that the cost of a full-time (50-hour) place for a child under two has fallen by 52% compared to 2024 – from around £305 per week to £149.
The government is bearing down on the cost of living for families – lifting the two child cap, expanding free school meals, rolling out free breakfast clubs as well as providing 30 hours of funded childcare.
Children’s Minister and west Cumbrian MP Josh MacAlister said:
“Childcare costs have been too high for too long – but we’re fighting back. By rolling out 30 hours free childcare to children aged 9 months to 2 years old, we are helping Cumbrian parents save an average of £8,000 for each child – that’s a huge help with the cost of living.
“Under Andy Burnham, this government is working hard to give families in Cumbria breathing space as we tackle the cost of living crisis, and to bring back hope. And that’s exactly what we will do.”