Conservaties to double free childcare to 30 hours a week

chelseablue

Hope this is the right board for this!

Just been watching the news and apparently if the tories get into power again they will be increasing the amount of free childcare for 3 & 4 year olds from 15 hours to 30 hours a week.

Both parents would need to work (full or part time)

Would start in 2017

Would not affect childcare vouchers

Interested to hear peoples thoughts?

timbo58

So a nice promise in return for a 5 year employment contract that I can't sack you for not performing in? hmmmmmm

purpleshoes_2

Maybe bear in mind that political parties make lots of promises that they don't always follow through.

It makes no difference to me personally as I don't have kids and nothing would ever make me vote tory.

I think that most political discussions take place in discussion time on the boards so even though this is a family section of the board it might end up being moved.

Tropez

Well this doesn't affect me, and likely never will, so it isn't going to make me vote for the Conservatives.

They'll have to try again.

pinkshoes

This is superb for those with pre-school aged children where the cost of child care almost wipes out wages.

Most of my friends who have had two children under five have not been able to afford to go back to work, unless they take a job working when partner/husband is at home. Lots have had to put careers on hold.

blueneleh

For me personally this would be great as childcare really eats away at your income, however, just 'cos it's in the manifesto does not necessarily mean it will happen!

Cyberman60

Yet more encouragement from the Tories to work for a living and pay taxes rather than relying on benefits. :T

FatVonD

Sounds like a great idea whichever party it comes from.

[Deleted User]

Nurseries aren't going to like this ... the '15 free hours' doesn't pay enough for our son's nursery to support 15 hours of their time. Double that and you'll see more expensive nurseries having financial issues

gettingtheresometime

be nice if the parties cared about my vote - I mean who wants the vote of a woman who's child has grown up, not yet of pensionable age?

bylromarha

If this was on the cards when my 2 were little, I'd be asking them to pay me, not a nursery, the money to stay at home with my kids.

We chose for me to stay at home with my 2 and put my career on hold. Some tough financial years because of it, especially when the recession hit, but so very worth it to us and our kids. No offer of free childcare would have made a difference to that decision.