Image

Working parents in North Yorkshire are being urged to sign up to benefit from a greater amount of childcare that is on offer across the county.

Hundreds more places have been created to allow children to be cared for while their parents are at work.

From the term after their child turns nine months, eligible working parents will get 30 hours of funded childcare a week from September this year.

As part of the Government’s childcare expansion programme, we have helped to create 2,160 new childcare places in the county.

These include 348 early years places and 1,812 school wraparound places.

Since April 2024, the authority has supported 18 early years providers through the Department of Education’s Capital Grant funding to expand their current provision or help new provision open.

This has enabled early years providers to be able to increase their capacity and welcome more children at their premises.

Our executive member for education, learning and skills, Councillor Annabel Wilkinson, said: “Our aim is to give all children in North Yorkshire the best start in life.

“Our early years providers are vital for the county, not only ensuring that our parents are able to work but that children get the benefit of an early years’ education which is crucial for their development.”

Image

 
Embsay Children’s Centre Day Nursery near Skipton is one of the early years providers which has benefited from the Capital Grant funding and created new outdoor space within their nursery.

Owner and headteacher Caroline Midgley said: “Thanks to funding support from the council, we have welcomed 10 more two-year-old children and have taken on two apprentices this September to take our team of staff to 27.

“The outside area we have created is wonderful and flexible. We can use this effectively all year round, but it is particularly valuable during the summer months when we are always the busiest.”

While the final phase of the Government’s childcare expansion is welcomed, some early years providers are finding it challenging to recruit and retain staff.

Emily Sykes joined Embsay Children’s Centre as an apprentice nursery practitioner when she left school at the age of 16. 

She said: “Working at a nursery is so rewarding because you get to see the children grow, learn and develop each day. The little moments are often the most special - like when a child learns something new, gains confidence, or achieves a milestone they’ve been working towards.”

Emily, who lives in Skipton, added: “My advice to anyone starting out in early years is that if you have a passion for caring for children and want to make a real difference in their lives, go for it.”

Meanwhile, working families across North Yorkshire are being reminded to check their eligibility to claim 30 hours of funded childcare.

Schools are also being supported by the authority to offer wraparound childcare outside the regular school day. This means more families will be able to access affordable, reliable childcare from 8am to 6pm during term time.

To qualify for the Government-funded Early Years Childcare, parents or carers need to be in work and earn a minimum of the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Living Wage or minimum wage. They also need to earn less than £100,000 a year.

Find out more about free childcare for working parents.

Children of parents below the employment threshold may be eligible for 15 hours of early education a week.