Responding to the publication of new Department for Education guidance on wraparound childcare for schools and trusts in England today, Community’s National Officer for Education and Early Years, Helen Osgood, said:
“Whilst this new guidance is predominately aimed at local authorities, schools have a major role to play, as wraparound childcare revolves around the school day. Whilst many working parents will welcome the government’s initiative to provide childcare from 8.00am until 6.00pm within local schools, the funding that has been made available for it is not long-term.
“In any case, it will be incredibly difficult to deliver the plans without the robust workforce development plan the sector needs – something we have long been calling for but which the government has not yet produced. There’s a real risk here that the DfE is raising parents’ expectations, only for them to be shattered when it becomes apparent that there simply aren’t enough staff in the sector to deliver the department’s ambitions.
“Community believes that the implementation of wraparound childcare needs to be a carefully balanced, and care needs to be taken not to put additional pressure on already overstretched school staff.”
You can read the new guidance from the Department for Education here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wraparound-childcare-guidance-for-local-authorities
Community is the union for education and early years professionals: representing teachers, headteachers, education, school support staff and early years staff. With over fifty years’ experience, we represent members and campaign to improve conditions for education and early years professionals. We are a modern trade union, campaigning for a better working world.
If you are a member of Community and need advice or support, please contact our Service Centre at help@community-tu.org or on 0800 389 6332.
© Community Trade Union 2025
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