Report advises end to universal 15 hours free childcare

would not only benefit families more than the childcare hours, it'ld also probably make a significant dent in childhood obesity if parents had an extra day to take kids out to play or to sports/hobbies etc

It would benefit toddlers with good parents, but would mean a day of being parked in front of the telly for children of negligent parents and in some cases a day without a proper cooked meal.

actually I think it should be made as a non means tested benefit to parents who cut their hours by 15/week to stay at home.

Childcare is such a viscious circle: parents can't afford to not work.. but then can't afford the childcare… so use funded childcare because they have to work.. nobody really benefits!

A benefit allowing one or both parents to cut their hours for under 5s (either 1 parent by 15 hours, or 2 parents at 7.5 each), would not only benefit families more than the childcare hours, it'ld also probably make a significant dent in childhood obesity if parents had an extra day to take kids out to play or to sports/hobbies etc.

Because the benefit of nursery education should be available to all children ana

Arguably it would be because the better off parents can afford to pay, and very often have been paying for the first two years. Its just extra money being handed out to well off parents.

I am not against it on principle but there are so many BETTER ways to spend this money.

If the present free 15 hours nursery education from age 3 is withdrawn, it will mean that some children's free education begins at age 4, and some not until nearly 5, depending on when their birthday falls. Is that fair?

Its perfectly fair because every child gets fourteen years of free education. Those who start young finish young.

If youre concerned aboutt 'fairness' its the fact that under the present nursery funding the August born child gets only one free nursery year while the September born gets two that is unfair.

Sorry that should be 'why not means test parents'

Because the benefit of nursery education should be available to all children ana.
If the present free 15 hours nursery education from age 3 is withdrawn, it will mean that some children's free education begins at age 4, and some not until nearly 5, depending on when their birthday falls. Is that fair?
Where are you going to draw the line? Why means test parents for primary education too? Or NHS care?
Some benefits have to be universal and I think nursery education is one of them.

I agree Mair and Ana it would be better means tested, but can't see this happening,especially as the new longer hours are to start this year, they would not want to be seen to do anything controversial to child care.

Why should a family whose income is £60,000 plus be able to claim free childcare, especially if it does indeed go up to 30 hours per child?

It's only 15 hours at present janea and yes, it's a help to many working families but I do think it should be means-tested to some degree, as child benefit is.

Was this idea just being discussed or has it been proposed?
I would think it would be political suicide.
The 30 funded hours are a lifeline for many families, especially those with two or more children under school age.
Do we want children to benefit from nursery education, or not?
Do we want women to be able to have the choice to work after having children, or not?
We hear a great deal about how difficult life is for young families struggling to pay a mortgage etc.
Don't let's make it worse.

They have been discussing it on the radio. Was pointed out that the trouble is once a benefit is in place its very difficult to take it away without paying the price at the ballot box.

I am not sure that May who is currently facing so much hostility from the Bremain dominated elite, would feel she can afford to take the risk.

It did seem to be a rather badly thought out policy. 15 hours free for every single 3/4 year old and some 2 year olds whatever the family income or circumstances. Mad.

Yes very sensible - wonder why no mention is made of the proposed 30 hours which should be rolled out from September

Yes, sensible.

Link?