Do all schools and childcare providers have to offer the 30 hours of free childcare?

• It is not the law nor compulsory for schools or childcare providers to offer the additional 15 hours over and above the current 15 hours entitlement for all 3 and 4 year olds.
• It is the school / childcare providers’ individual choice whether they provide places for the additional 15 hours, not the Council.
• The Council is providing support and guidance to schools and providers to enable them to do so if they wish.
• There may be good reasons why the School/ Provider does not offer the additional 15 hours:
• They may not have any spare nursery places for 3 & 4 year olds or the capacity to create new places.
• Some schools / childcare providers that already offer a flexible choice for parents may review what they currently provide and feel the impact of changing what they offer to include the additional 15 hours free childcare would be detrimental to their current service.
• In addition there is a cost / sustainability factor for them to take into consideration.
• The decision for schools / childcare providers on whether to offer the additional 15 hours free childcare will have been taken after much consideration and debate.