Free childcare and family hubs roll out to boost early childhood development
A new national campaign, Start for Life Little Moments Together, is offering parents free tools and guidance to boost their child’s early development. The initiative highlights how simple daily interactions can shape a child’s language and communication skills. Meanwhile, the government is rolling out expanded childcare support and family hubs across England.
From April 2024, working parents of two-year-olds will have access to 15 hours of free childcare each week. This forms part of a wider plan to extend 30 hours of free childcare for working families, covering children from nine months old until they start school by September 2025.
The *Start for Life* campaign comes as research shows 83% of parents do not realise a child’s brain is 90% developed by age five. The programme encourages small, everyday moments—like chatting during meals or reading together—to build strong foundations for learning. To support families further, all 75 local authorities in England now provide access to a family hub. These hubs act as a ‘one stop shop’, bringing together services such as early language support, mental health guidance, and home development programmes. The government is investing around £300 million to strengthen these hubs and embed the *Start for Life* approach. Family hubs also align with the *Supporting Families* programme and broader plans to reform children’s social care. By centralising key services, they aim to make support more accessible for parents and carers.
The expansion of childcare hours and family hubs will give more parents access to practical help and resources. With the Start for Life campaign, the government is focusing on early intervention to improve children’s communication and development. The changes are set to take full effect by 2025.
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