Working parents in North Yorkshire are being urged to sign up to benefit from a greater amount of childcare that is on offer across the county.
Hundreds more places have been created to allow children to be cared for while their parents are at work.
From the term after their child turns nine months, eligible working parents will get 30 hours of funded childcare a week from September 2025.
As part of the Government’s childcare expansion programme, North Yorkshire Council has helped to create 2,160 new childcare places in the county. These include 348 early years places and 1,812 school wraparound places.
Since April 2024, the authority has supported 18 early years providers through the Department of Education’s Capital Grant funding to expand their current provision or help new provision open.
This has enabled early years providers to be able to increase their capacity and welcome more children at their premises.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, said:
“Our aim is to give all children in North Yorkshire the best start in life.
“Our early years providers are vital for the county, not only ensuring that our parents are able to work but that children get the benefit of an early years’ education which is crucial for their development.
“Similarly, the funding has allowed school wraparound provision in North Yorkshire to be introduced or expanded supporting parents to work more flexibly.”
Embsay Children’s Centre Day Nursery near Skipton is one of the early years providers who has benefited from the Capital Grant funding and created new outdoor space within their nursery.
Owner and headteacher Caroline Midgley explained how the nursery is meeting the needs of more families.
She said:
“Thanks to funding support from the council, we have welcomed 10 more two-year-old children and have taken on two apprentices this September to take our team of staff to 27.
“The outside area we have created is wonderful and flexible. We can use this effectively all year around, but it is particularly valuable during the summer months when we are always the busiest.”
She added:
“Being able to accept a greater number of younger children is particularly beneficial for parents who live up the Dales and out of catchment for Embsay Church of England Primary School but have very limited local provision for their younger children.”
From September 1, children aged between nine months and four-years-old are eligible for up to 30 hours per week of funded childcare to support parents or guardians to return to work.
While the final phase of the Government’s childcare expansion is welcomed, some early years providers are finding it challenging to recruit and retain staff.
Emily Sykes joined Embsay Children’s Centre as an apprentice nursery practitioner when she left school aged 16. She explains how much difference early educators make helping children to learn to speak, explore, make friends, problem-solve and feel safe.
She said:
“Working at a nursery is so rewarding because you get to see the children grow, learn and develop each day. The little moments are often the most special - like when a child learns something new, gains confidence, or achieves a milestone they’ve been working towards.
“Being part of their journey and supporting them as they discover the world around them makes the job truly meaningful.”
Emily, who lives in Skipton, added:
“My advice to anyone starting out in early years is that if you have a passion for caring for children and want to make a real difference in their lives, go for it.
"Working in a nursery is incredibly rewarding, and you’ll always have the support of your colleagues along the way. If you’re looking for a career that’s both meaningful and fulfilling, this is the perfect path.”
Meanwhile, working families across North Yorkshire are being reminded to check their eligibility to claim 30 hours of funded childcare.
Schools are also being supported by the authority to offer wraparound childcare outside the regular school day. This means more families will be able to access affordable, reliable childcare from 8am to 6pm during term time.
To qualify for the government-funded early years childcare, parents or carers need to be in work and earn a minimum of the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Living Wage or minimum wage. They also need to earn less than £100,000 a year.
This applies to both parents in a couple, so each parent must fit the criteria, and to single parents in a single parent household. Parents must meet the working family criteria to be eligible for the Government-funded childcare entitlement and more details can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/free-childcare-if-working
Children of parents below the employment threshold may be eligible for 15 hours of early education a week.
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