Sufficient childcare places available in Walsall – and here’s how you can secure yours

Monday, 17 June 2024 18:59

Parents and carers in Walsall can be reassured that there are sufficient childcare places available locally to them and their family.

Despite other parts of England struggling to cope with demand for childcare places, Walsall has bucked national trends, and local data suggests no sufficiency concerns about the number of places available for eligible working families in the borough.

In September this year, the Childcare Choices offer will be expanded to eligible working parents in England with children between 9 months and 3 years old – and parents can apply for their childcare code now, ready to use in September.

In September 2025, eligible working parents with children between 9 months and up to school age, will be able to access 30 hours of funded childcare per week (1140 hours per year).

Earlier in the year, Walsall Council announced it was one of twenty local authorities selected to take part in a national recruitment drive to the early years sector.

The Council can now offer a ‘golden hello’ payment of £1000 tax-free cash to new or returning recruits, to help drive staff growth within the sector and offer an incentive for local people looking to start a career in early years.

Sharon Kelly, Director for Access and Inclusion at Walsall Council said, “We’ve been really supportive of the national early years expansion

scheme so far and are working closely with the Department for Education and local childcare providers to develop the best possible access to childcare provision in Walsall.”

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