Working parents of three- and four-year-olds in Stevenage and the surrounding area will receive 30 hours a week of free childcare from September. This is double the current amount of free childcare and a year ahead of schedule.  Funding for this extended childcare totalling £13 million is being provided by the government to Hertfordshire County Council.

Stephen McPartland MP said, "I know from listening to local people how important accessible childcare is to parents and it is very good news that local parents will benefit from more free childcare ahead of schedule. We made a commitment to help working people, and are delivering on that commitment. It is important to make sure we give children the best start in life, support parents in work, and allow our area to prosper.”

All three- and four-year-olds are already entitled to 15 hours of free childcare a week, and this is extended to the most disadvantaged two-year-olds. More than £1bn extra per year will be invested by 2019-20 to fund the extension of this free childcare entitlement.

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