Maria Miller MP welcomed the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, to Kids Nursery Basingstoke to meet staff and children. From April a record increase in free childcare is being rolled out nationwide, and by September 2025 all parents with children under 4 will have 30 hours free childcare for each child under 4.
Maria said, “The cost of living is still putting real pressure on families. Extra help with childcare costs from April will make a real difference. I have brought the Prime Minister to see the fantastic support given to children and families at Kids Nursery in Popley, with disabled and non-disabled children in a fully inclusive nursery. By September 2025 working parents with children under 4 will all have 30 hours free childcare a week.
“In Basingstoke we need an extra 700 childcare places to make sure every family gets the free places they need. I am working with parents at Kids to make sure we know the sort of childcare places that parents want. Places for children with disabilities and chronic illness are vital. Too often parents can find it impossible to get back into work unless the right specialist childcare is available.
“The Prime Minister has seen today the importance of specialist support for children with special needs. I want more childcare places like this to be available to parents and children in Basingstoke.”
The Prime Minister commented, “It was great to visit Kids Nursery in Basingstoke to meet with the staff and children there. Providing high-quality and affordable childcare is a priority for the government, and so it was fantastic to see how dedicated the Kids staff are in creating a safe and nurturing environment for their children.
“Thank you to Basingstoke’s MP, Dame Maria Miller, Kids’ staff and the children for such a warm welcome.”
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