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Liverpool is expanding its childcare offerings with the creation of over 2,500 new childcare places to support working parents. The increase in childcare places has been made possible by grant funding received from the government, which supports the national expansion of funded childcare places as well as places within the “wraparound” program for primary school-aged children. Liverpool City Council has already awarded over £1.5m to providers, resulting in the creation of 2,527 new places for youngsters from families with eligible working parents.
Providers have utilized the grant funding for various purposes, including capital work such as building or equipment for early years places, as well as increasing staff numbers and other running costs for wraparound places. The funding has been allocated to childcare settings like nurseries, childminders, and breakfast or after-school clubs for primary school children. The application process for funding was stringent, requiring providers to submit financial accounts, cashflow forecasts, a business plan, and quotes if applying for building work.
Liverpool has seen impressive uptake in childcare services since the expansion of funded childcare places last year. Eligible families now have increased access to childcare services, with children as young as nine months old able to benefit. The expansion has been well-received by families, with a high percentage of those eligible taking up the funded places. Cllr Liz Parsons, cabinet member for Children’s Social Services, expressed excitement over the increase in childcare offerings and the benefits it provides to working families in Liverpool.
Neil Verdin, headteacher at Pleasant Street Primary School, shared how the successful grant application has allowed the school to expand its capacity for extended provision. The funding has enabled the school to create new spaces, matching the demand from parents for childcare services. Brian Quinn, owner of The Childcare Academy in the Baltic Quarter, also praised the government expansion grant for providing the opportunity to open new spaces and expand their services, leading to exponential growth and success for the academy
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