The Childcare Act 2006 and the ‘Early Education and Childcare’ statutory guidance 2014 require all Local Authorities to produce a report showing how they are meeting their duty to secure sufficient childcare.
Childcare sufficiency can be defined as ensuring the provision of adequate childcare, so far as is reasonably practicable, that is flexible, sustainable and responsive to the needs of families, thus enabling parents to find childcare that meets their needs and allows them to make real choices about family life and work. If any gaps are identified, where reasonably practicable, Wigan Local Authority will commission childcare services in order to ensure there is sufficient childcare.
Commissioning
In certain instances, in order to fill a gap or demand for childcare, we may advertise for childcare providers to deliver childcare for a particular age range or within a demographic area.
In these cases revenue funding may be available to assist with the initial set up costs for the new provision however this funding is not guaranteed and is subject to availability and meeting a set of criteria.
Details of new commissioning projects will be listed on this page when they are available.
Wigan early education entitlement and wraparound expansion programmes
The wraparound expansion programme, introduced in the spring budget of 2023, aims to provide comprehensive childcare support for school-age children from 8am to 6pm during school term time. This initiative is designed to help parents manage their work schedules by offering childcare both before and after the school day. The programme includes services provided by schools, as well as private, voluntary, and independent (PVI) providers, ensuring that childcare is accessible and convenient without requiring parents to pick up and drop off their children at different locations.
The UK government has expanded childcare entitlements to better support working parents. Starting in April 2024, eligible parents of 2-year-olds can access 15 hours of free childcare per week. By September 2024, this will extend to parents of children aged 9 months and older. From September 2025, parents will be able to access up to 30 hours of free childcare per week for children from 9 months until they start school. This initiative aims to help parents balance work and childcare more effectively.
For more information, please see:
If you would like to discuss the development of a new or expansion of your current provision, please contact early learning and childcare to discuss further.