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....

I believe that you do have to prove your availability for work once your children are school age - I'm not sure whether it applies to nursery age and in the future it may apply to two year olds - I'll look it up when I get half a moment.

Haven't read rest of thread, sorry, but until they start means testing the Nurseery Grant for 3-4 year olds, then there's no point rolling it out to the 2 year olds too.

The slice of the pie for each child is currently far too small, so it's really not enough to make a dent for those who need it, and is superfluous for those who can afford it.

If it were means tested then those who really can't afford the cost of nurseries will be helped massively, whilst those who can won't get help they don't require.

Any other schemes beyond that are finanically unsound.

Great post SantaIsAnAnagramOfSatan.

I read somewhere that the aim eventually is to get down the age mothers have to seek work to 12 months. It was 12, then 7, 5. You can bet that it will go to 3 and eventually 1 or less. Workfare schemes in the US look good on paper but there is still much poverty. It is more a case of going from welfare poor to working poor for many. There is much poor quality daycare that desperate people have to use. I fear we are headed this way.

What kind of society would force women to farm their children out to substandard daycare so that Walmart can make a few more dollars?

a tory or republican led one jelly.

I agree although the last labour government had some simelar ideas and Clegg is very keen on universal childcare.

at least labour brought in a way to help with the costs of childcare and the gap between salaries and cost of living though. i think people really underestimate the difference tax credits made to lives, especially to those who wanted to work but were utterly stuck on benefits.

and being means tested it was fair - no ideological good and bad people, deserving and undeserving poor, just economics and willingness to work.

Yes tax credits were good. I'm still paying mine back though, from when they overpaid me. Eejits. But generally a good idea. We could always have done with an increase in the minimum wage as well.

Is this what is being paid for by squeezing the lone parents until they bleed?

I do believe it is. But at least they bleed at work instead of at home...

both my daughters are childminders free nursery places for two yr olds will effectively put them out of business, they already lose children at 3 because obviously parents take up the free places which my daughters can't offer. They have looked into being allowed to accept the vouchers but nobody can tell them how to become eligible, always told we'll be in touch then don't.

Actually pretend I'm thinking of giving it all up and sitting back with my feet up all day. 'Cause it seems the only way :o

I'd like some free childcare for my dts please, they are soon to be 10 so it wouldn't be all the time. Thankyouverykindly.

Actually there's something decidedly misogynistic about this relentless policy to push women into work at all costs as though nobody has a right to spend too much time with their kids. Probably FFJ are behind it.

yes. also the targeting of single parent households - what's so unique about them? 90% don't have a man in them.

'Actually there's something decidedly misogynistic about this relentless policy to push women into work at all costs as though nobody has a right to spend too much time with their kids. Probably FFJ are behind it.'

That is an interesting thought.

'both my daughters are childminders free nursery places for two yr olds will effectively put them out of business'
I personally think the gov prefer institutional care rather than childminders. After all, many childminders are also watching their own kids. I don't think they like that part.

Yes one of my daughters has a child of her own the other doesn't they are both qualified to level 4 with over 10 years experience of nursery working but wanted to start their own business together. Ofsted gave them good and stated once the landscaping on garden finished (soft tiles being laid at the time now complete) they would be outstanding although this cannot be given until next inspection (if still of same standard).

Toody, I hope they do well with their business, sounds like they will do very well. I personally know some very good childminders, some who were former nursery nurses, and think they are far more preferable to institutional care for little ones (Just my opinion of course, each to their own) The good ones are always busy.

Thanks jellybeans

"'Actually there's something decidedly misogynistic about this relentless policy to push women into work at all costs as though nobody has a right to spend too much time with their kids. Probably FFJ are behind it.'"

Actually there's something decidedly misogynistic about this stubborn myth that women need to stay at home at all costs as though no woman has the right to strive for a career and a family at the same time.

don't think anyone here has been proposing that myth AT ALL widowwadman. many have been discussing the realities that act as barriers to that though such as childcare cost and inflexibility and oh you know the simple fact of their not being any jobs or affordable childcare means telling women you've got to get a job from when your child is a year old is a tad....?

Nobody said that Widow - please don't turn this into a SAHM debate, it isn't. But the policies to force women into the workplace are becoming irrational because there is no work and it is not economically viable for one woman to pay another woman to look after her kids when she could be looking after 3 of her own. For instance.

I think a step into the direction of making it economically viable (or at least neutral) to go back to work is a more positive policy than the status quo of condemning lower earning mothers to staying at home.

Also, the lack of term time and school hours only jobs shouldn't mean mothers can't work - but just that there's need for affordable wrap around care.

That's not a negative policy, nor a misogynistic one, but rather the opposite.