Marie Tidball MP praises rollout of ‘game-changing’ 30 hours of free childcare, saving parents £7,500 per year, per child

Marie Tidball, Member of Parliament for Penistone and Stocksbridge, has welcomed the start of the rollout of the government’s expansion of funded childcare to 30 hours a week, calling it “game-changing” for working families.  

The 30 hours per week free child care is the highest on record, and will save up to £7,500 per child, per year and will benefit hundreds of children aged nine months to four years across Penistone and Stocksbridge. Already, the Labour Government has cut the cost of nursery by 22% since being in government, due to its expansion of government funding in the sector.  

In addition to expanding free childcare, the Government has launched an all-new online platform, beststartinlife.gov.uk to offer support beyond the nursery door, with everything they need to give their children the best start in their early years and beyond. This includes expert advice on anything from pregnancy, to introducing solid foods, childcare and early years education and beyond.  

Marie Tidball, Member of Parliament for Penistone and Stocksbridge, said:  

“As a mum myself, I know the difference that this expansion of childcare will make to hard-working parents across our communities. 30 hours a week of free nursery is the highest its ever been: it’s a game-changer for working families.  “My mum was head of Meynell Nursery in Parson Cross. She and her colleagues did transformational work nurturing local children, and this really taught me the value of equal access to good early years education right from the start.  “As children and young people go back to school, I know the difference that this will make to parents’ pockets. The average cost of full-time nursery is currently £12,425 in England – and although this has already come down by 22% under Labour, I am determined to see it slashed further.  “I hope that this decision by our Labour Government will give parents flexibility and confidence through their careers, and help to reduce reliance on grandparents, who have often found themselves overstretched, performing childcare for free.”  

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:  

“This is what change looks like – mums, dads and carers with pounds back in their pockets, children getting the best start in life, and the British economy given a whopping boost.  

“It was never going to be easy, but against all odds we’ve delivered through our Plan for Change.    

“And this is just the beginning. My vision for early years goes beyond this milestone. I want access to high-quality early years for every single family that needs it, without strings and without unfair charges. 

“Over the next few years, that is my commitment to parents.”