Martin pledges support for local childcare providers
Martin has met with local childcare providers Cleethorpes Childcare and The Children's House in Parliament and pledged his commitment to support local childcare providers.
Martin was taking part in a campaign day in parliament that was organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Childcare and Early Education. The event saw 100 childcare providers gather in Parliament to meet with MPs and Peers to share their experiences of the government’s 30 hours childcare policy.
The policy, which was rolled out nationally in September 2017, has been criticised by providers and parents for being underfunded. Childcare providers across the country have raised concerns that this threatens their long term financial sustainability and are calling on MPs to campaign for the government to increase its funding.
Speaking after the event in Parliament Claire Parfrement (Cleethorpes Childcare) said:
“I am delighted Martin has pledged his support for childcare providers in Cleethorpes.
At Cleethorpes Childcare, we provide high-quality early education to our children, and we’re pleased that the government’s 30-hours childcare policy means that more 3 and 4 year-olds can benefit from our services.
However, funding in Cleethorpes is less than the cost of delivery, and this puts our future at risk. This is why I look forward to working with our local MP to campaign for a more sustainable future for childcare providers and parents.”
Martin said:
“It was great to meet Claire and Sylvia in Parliament and hear about the great work Cleethorpes Childcare and The Children's House do to give children the best start in life possible.
It is great news that some 3 and 4 year-old children in Cleethorpes are now able to receive 30-hours funded childcare, however, I understand that many nurseries are facing financial challenges, and I will be making representations in Parliament and to the Government to help ensure that every child in Cleethorpes is able to access a high quality early education”.