Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to take steps to prevent childcare providers from asking parents of children who are receiving publicly-funded care to pay extra charges.

It is important that government childcare entitlements are accessible and affordable for families. Government funding is intended to deliver 15 or 30 hours a week of free, high-quality, flexible childcare. The 15 or 30 hours must be able to be accessed free of charge to parents. There must not be any mandatory charges for parents in relation to the entitlement hours. The statutory guidance makes clear that government funding for the entitlements does not cover consumables like meals, nappies or sun cream or additional activities, such as trips. Providers are able to offer and ask parents to pay for these things, provided they are not mandatory or a condition of accessing an entitlements place.

We advise parents to discuss with their childcare provider in the first instance if they have any queries around their childcare costs. They should then contact their local council if they remain concerned with how they are receiving their entitlement offer or if they need help finding an entitlements place.