Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to review the system of applications for government-funded childcare in order to allow parents to submit applications outside of term time.

It is the department’s ambition that all families have access to high quality, affordable and flexible early education and care, giving every child the best start in life and delivering on our Plan for Change.

Children become eligible for the working parent entitlement from 1 Sept, 1 Jan or 1 April, the term after they reach the relevant age and meet relevant eligibility criteria.

Termly deadlines enable local authorities and childcare providers to better plan and ensure sufficient early years places are available for parents each term, as there are clear periods for when children are likely to enter into a place.

Through the Childcare and Early Education Review, the department will look at how to improve access to early education and care, making the system simpler for families.