Wraparound childcare for primary aged children from 2026

The government has set out an ambition that the parents of all primary-age children will be provided with ‘wraparound’ childcare in school by September 2026 to ensure all parents of school-age children can drop their children off between 8am and 6pm.

The government will provide £289 million of start-up funding to councils and schools for this ambition to be achieved through a ‘national rollout’ over 2024-25 and 2025-26. Governors and trustees now need to consider how their setting will respond.

Governors and trustees are being asked to read Wraparound and holiday childcare: responding to requests and consider along with school leaders what wraparound childcare they need to have in place by September 2026 and how they will create new provision where needed.

The current timetable for childcare changes is:

Summer 2023: Parents who claim universal credit will see the maximum monthly amount they can claim for childcare rise from this summer from £646 to £951 for one child, and from £1,108 to £1,630 for two or more children.

September 2023: Providers can work to a 1:5 ratio with 2-year-olds if they wish rather than 1:4. Department for Education consultation on greater flexibility for early years and childcare providers and increased funding rate from September.

 April 2024: 15 hours a week for working parents with 2-year-olds.

September 2024: 15 hours a week for working parents with children from 9 months.

September 2025: 30 hours a week for working parents with children from 9 months to starting school.

September 2026: Schools to offer 8:00 – 6:00 wraparound for primary aged children. Funding will be coming to schools and Local Authorities for this expansion.