The Childcare Act 2006 and the ‘Early Education and Childcare’ statutory guidance 2014 require all Local Authorities to produce a report showing how they are meeting their duty to secure sufficient childcare.
Childcare sufficiency can be defined as ensuring the provision of adequate childcare, so far as is reasonably practicable, that is flexible, sustainable and responsive to the needs of families, thus enabling parents to find childcare that meets their needs and allows them to make real choices about family life and work. If any gaps are identified, where reasonably practicable, Wigan Local Authority will commission childcare services in order to ensure there is sufficient childcare.
Early Years & Wraparound Expansion Funding and Development
In some cases, funding may be available to assist with the costs of either setting up new provision or expanding current provision to develop more places in certain areas identified by sufficiency analysis across the borough.
We have three elements of funding available:
- Early Years Entitlement Capital Funding must be spent on capital projects, and is being provided to meet the capital costs associated with projects that help ensure sufficient places for children taking up an early year’s place through the expanded 30-hours entitlement for qualifying working parents (from the term following the child reaching 9-months to the term in which they turn 3-years-old).
- Wraparound Capital Funding is available to childcare providers and schools to support the development of new or extended wraparound provision.
- Wraparound Revenue Funding is available to support set up costs and additional running costs for increasing the supply of breakfast and afterschool childcare places.
For more information, view the Childcare Expansion Capital Allocations Guidance (external link).
Wigan early education entitlement and wraparound expansion programmes
The wraparound expansion programme, introduced in the spring budget of 2023, aims to provide comprehensive childcare support for school-age children from 8am to 6pm during school term time. This initiative is designed to help parents manage their work schedules by offering childcare both before and after the school day. The programme includes services provided by schools, as well as private, voluntary, and independent (PVI) providers, ensuring that childcare is accessible and convenient without requiring parents to pick up and drop off their children at different locations.
The UK government has expanded childcare entitlements to better support working parents. Starting in April 2024, eligible parents of 2-year-olds can access 15 hours of free childcare per week. By September 2024, this will extend to parents of children aged 9 months and older. From September 2025, parents will be able to access up to 30 hours of free childcare per week for children from 9 months until they start school. This initiative aims to help parents balance work and childcare more effectively.
To make an application, please complete the Early Years and Wraparound Expanision Programme Grant Funding Application Form.
If you would like to discuss the development of a new or expansion of your current provision, please contact early learning and childcare to discuss further.