Osborne to announce free childcare for 2 year olds

[OliviaMumsnet]

In the Autumn Statement the Chancellor will outline a £650 million scheme to provide free early education for about 40 per cent of two year-olds.

Just wondering what MNers think about this....

[GrateHits]

He needs to try a lot harder. Still hate him.

[GypsyMoth]

Education for 2 year olds

[clemetteattlee]

A step in the right direction.

[LoopyLoopsRootyFroots]

What Grate said.

[KnottyLocks]

I'm wondering where he's going to pull the money from.

[iggly2]

If it is to support those parents at work/getting back to work it could be a good idea if well implemented.

[SquishyCinnamonSwirls]

Where the hell is he planning on getting the money from?

And thanks a lot, that'll help running my (childminding) business just that little bit harder. Marvellous.

[iggly2]

Better childcare at an earlier age has been shown to greatly enhance the chance of parents returning to work (Denmark, Norway, Sweden). Post 2 years out of work the chance of returning steeply reduces.

[iggly2]

This is an idea that may well fund itself longer term.

[AnyFucker]

What is the point ?

There are no jobs for these people magically freed by 3 hours childcare a day

Unless the govt plans to stick them all on Workfare programmes to continue to swell the coffers of the big corporations at the expense of the ordinary tax payer, of course

[Sevenfold]

wow so they take money of the vulnerable and then find money for crap like this
ffs

[clemetteattlee]

It is money for the vulnerable - vulnerable parents and vulnerable children.
Not only them, but it includes them.

[Sevenfold]

still a waste of money. we are supposed to be broke, yet they find money for silly schemes

[iggly2]

I always thought the rationed free childcare fom 3-5 a bit weird. It is past the best window for getting parents back to work. Also everybody benefited (Ds nursery had very wealthy SAHMs getting thousands off a year) but also some not wealthy and stuggling whose children would be there full time but without all fees being met. I would up subsides through to school age but for families where both parents worked. I think implementation is often the answer to if schemes work (can we look at other countries for ideas).

[iggly2]

This is an idea that may well fund itself longer term.

[AnyFucker]

fund itself ?

that's twice you have said that, iggly

can you explain how

it will help very, very few people back into work as far as I can see

it's just another ridiculous and costly gimmick

[holidaysoon]

Crazy idea
What 2.5 hours a day
Doesn't help people work like others have said
Those who the gov wants to intervene with either get help now or fall through the cracks this won't change that
The only people this will really help is non working parents who wish to farm their children out for a few hours of undisturbed coffee drinking a day
(Tongue in cheek emoticon)!!!!

[TheFeministsWife]

So they're cutting wages and pensions, making people redundant, and cutting benefits. Yet they're finding the money for nursery places for 2 year olds! FFS they really do live in a huge wealthy bubble don't they! Jeez they should trying living in the real for change. Tory frickin toffs.

[holidaysoon]

Would make much more sense to make chi care tax deductible if both parents owkr (clearly one if single parent)

[caramelwaffle]

One hour commute to work.

One hour to do a job.

One hour commute home.

If you can find a job...

[caramelwaffle]

How about making all childcare tax deductible?

[iggly2]

Actually I know of a number of families who have had multiple children in a short window (one family twins for 2 pregnancy) the immediate cost of childcare required means mother working is not affordable due to childcare costs.

The mothers (sorry it was always the mother but I know it could be the Dad) gave up work but due to being out of work confidence dropped and in 3 cases non went back (though had planned to).They were all in well paid (above average) professional jobs that required confidence and keeping upto date. I also think a number more are in this scenario than let on.

Look at Norway, Denmark, Sweden they have very good rates of mothers returning to work and very heavily subsidised childcare from earlier age.

[AnyFucker]

iggly...you are forgetting something quite important

there are no jobs

[Scarletbanner]

If it's just 2 or 3 hours at a time then it's of very little practical benefit. And what about the other 60%? It will take more than this to win back the lost Women's vote.