Free Childcare for Foster Families — Government Announces Review

• Only three and four year olds currently get free childcare
• Policy may be extended for “vulnerable” foster children
• Foster parents would save lots of money

The Government may extend free child care to foster families.

Under the current policy, three and four year olds in families where all parents work are entitled to 30 hours free childcare.

This policy does not currently include children in foster care.

Education Secretary Justine Greening said, “The Government is looking at extending the offer on childcare to include foster families.”

The announcement was made during education questions in Parliament on Monday.

In a debate, Labour education minister Tracy Brabin said,

“Why have foster children been excluded from the 30 hours offer?”

Greening’s response stated that extending the policy to cover foster children would be beneficial, and that the Government will be looking into this.

The news comes after MP Jo Johnson announced University degrees could be taught in two years instead of three.

It follows criticism that the Government is not doing enough to help 120,000+ children faced with temporary housing this Christmas.