Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many childcare providers have made representations to her Department with concerns about the 30 free hours of childcare policy.

The Department for Education has engaged extensively with childcare providers during the design and roll out 30 hours free childcare, and continues to do so.

Our recently published independent evaluation report of the early rollout programme shows that over 80% of providers were willing and able to offer the extended hours places and there was no evidence that financial implications were a substantial barrier to the delivery of the extended hours. The full report is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-rollout-of-30-hours-free-childcare-evaluation.

The Department recognises that some childcare providers have faced challenges in delivering 30 hours and we are working with the sector to ensure that the policy works for parents, children and providers.