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Original poster

To be quite angry about proposed changes to 3-4yo childcare- only for ALL working parents?

542 replies

AcademicOwl · 28/05/2015 07:29

Ok, Queen's speech.
Proposal to increase 'free'* childcare to 30hrs for 3-4 year olds.

BUT only if all parents working.

As I understand, the current provision for 3-4 yo there are no caveats re parents working. So ok for SAHMs & SAHDs. Gives children chance to socialise pre-school, parents to find feet again and possibly find work.

I've got 2 DC under 5, and worked 3 days a week, so understand costs of childcare (I.e. Two in childcare = more than I earn by about £200pcm). Expecting DC 3 in Oct, so was considering a year out on a career break... Help make costs manageable, support family whilst they are titchy, etc. but DC 2 prob wouldn't be eligible for 'free' childcare if I do that.

Can't help but feel this is discriminating against SAHPs & again undervaluing the importance of parenting choices and the family unit...

What'd you want to bet they'll remove current 'free' provision?

*'free' because in our patch it isn't. The nursery work out how much money it contributes to your monthly bill, then you have to make up difference.and, yes, they are allowed to do that... I investigated at length a couple of years ago.

Grrrr!!!!

OP posts:
Kampeki · 28/05/2015 07:47

Actually, I'm confused. Are you concerned that they will remove the right to 15 hours of childcare for SAHPs (which hasn't been discussed, as far as I know), or are you annoyed that you won't be entitled to the additional 15 hours that families with 2 WOHPs will get?

If the former, I understand your concerns to some extent. I think some kids probably do benefit from a bit of time in nursery at that age. If the latter, I genuinely don't get your issue, because a SAHP surely doesn't need 30 hours of free childcare.

MrsHathaway · 28/05/2015 07:47

Crossed with ne quid. I agree, then. Still want to know what will qualify as "working". Self employed?

Stopandlook · 28/05/2015 07:46

Yabu (extremely) and not helping the cause of wahm either.

NRomanoff · 28/05/2015 07:46

Yabu. The 15 free hours will still stand. But it will be increased to 30 for working parents. Why does a sahp need 30 hours free childcare? Why would the government provide 30 hours free childcare for someone not going to work?

This is the problem with things like this. They are damned if they do and damned of they don't. People were saying they wanted more free childcare, so they do it. People now moaning that sahp won't get the extra hours. If you are a sahp, that's what you are. Its not discrimination. You don't need the 30 hours.

DocHollywood · 28/05/2015 07:45

How will nurseries keep going? And I think it should be means tested e.g. Household income under 30k. The limit I think is 200k, bizarre

birdling · 28/05/2015 07:44

Pre-school (3 + 4 yo) 15 hours isn't for child care, it's for early years education, so that won't be removed.

And yes, if your children are at nursery, and are there for more than the 15 hours, you will get charged the difference...... not sure if this is what you meant, but that's to be expected.

MrsHathaway · 28/05/2015 07:44

The evidence base is that the funded provision is to support the child, not the parents. Not childcare, but EYFS.

Introducing a condition on working shows that they don't care.

DH works full time. I work 5h/w. Would we qualify? It isn't clear.

Silentelf · 28/05/2015 07:44

I think it won't come into effect until 2017. So even if you have a year out of work you'll be back by then so dc2 will still benefit

candlesandlight · 28/05/2015 07:43

As a previous sahm I feel that govt policies are not sahm friendly especially the unfairness of child benefit.

nequidnimis · 28/05/2015 07:42

You'll still get the existing 15hrs pw provision, just not the extension according the the Guardian.

To be fair, I'd rather the money was being targeted at working parents. If you're a SAHM you don't have the same need for childcare surely?

Gorgeously · 28/05/2015 07:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GoodbyeToAllOfThat · 28/05/2015 07:41

You are being incredibly unreasonable.

OddBoots · 28/05/2015 07:40

I've got my concerns about the 30h too but I don't think they will remove the universal 15h, it is seen as important for 'school readiness'.

Wobblystraddle · 28/05/2015 07:40

If I didn't need to for childcare-while-working purposes, I don't think I'd want any cd of mine to be in nursery/preschool setting for anything like 30 hours. That's pretty much full time hours away from dc when you're not working. For most people I'd imagine that's neither necessary nor desirable.

Kampeki · 28/05/2015 07:40

Why would a sahp need free childcare? Confused

fiveacres · 28/05/2015 07:37

It is because if a family have made a choice to have a parent at home, then that is to care for the child or children and this paid childcare is not seen to be needed.

WipsGlitter · 28/05/2015 07:33

I'm not sure what your point is. You think the free childcare will now be removed for you as you are going to be a sahp and it will only be available if both parents are working?

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