Record number of London families benefit from 8500 affordable childcare places

The LDA's Childcare Affordability Programme has helped a record number of London's parents get back into training or work as a result of 1000's more affordable childcare places.

Over 8,000 families - and nearly 8,500 children - have now benefited as a result of the £33 million London scheme subsidising up to 10,000 childcare places and jointly funded by the LDA and the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

The Childcare Affordability Programme covers a combination of full-time and flexible childcare.  It also offers additional support for those parents of disabled or SEN children, or those needing childcare to make the transition back into work.  Some London Boroughs are now filling more places than originally offered under this part of the programme - reaching a take-up of 132 percent.

Senior Employment and Childcare Advisors are also working closely with the boroughs giving one-to-one support to parents and offering support in childcare and helping them access training and employment and helping lift them out of the poverty trap.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said:

"It is fantastic that the Childcare Affordability Programme has helped over 8,000 families access nursery places and eased their transition back to work. London is a great city, but not all of its residents are guaranteed the great quality of life they should. Affordable childcare is a significant problem for many families. My aim is to improve the quality of life for all Londoners, which includes helping children and their families to ensure they don't fall into poverty.'

Denise Burke, Head of Childcare at the LDA, said:

"We are absolutely delighted at these latest figures which show that the number of lower income parents and children who receive subsidised childcare in London has reached its highest level so far under this scheme. I believe we are now at a stage in the programme which may be described at tipping point.

"Through a combination of hard work and increased resources by London boroughs and staff at the LDA we have now helped over 8,000 families back into work and are optimistic that we can get close to the 10,000 target that we set ourselves by the end of the year when this pilot programme comes to an end. I believe the success of the programme vindicates the government's decision announced in this year’s budget to continue and expand the programme."

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For media enquiries, please contact Sarita Bhatia at the LDA Media Team on 020 7593 8087; for public enquiries, please call 020 7593 9000; for out of hours media enquiries, please call 07977 439 371.

Notes to Editors

1. The London Development Agency works to improve quality of life for all Londoners and drive sustainable economic growth.
2. Childcare in London is currently 25% more expensive than elsewhere in the UK. The LDA's pilot has provided free childcare for those parents who are either in training, searching for employment, or undertaking the transition to employment.
3. HM Treasury has published a report entitled "Ending child poverty: everybody's business". The report sets out those aspects of the Budget which focus on child poverty and highlights the work done by the LDA.
4. Section 5.31: "The Government has already embarked upon a series of London Childcare Affordability Pilots. As part of the renewed strategy, the Government will extend these pilots to support new approaches to childcare. In particular, it will look to see how further childcare support for additional earners can be provided, and consider the barriers faced by families with three or more children. In addition, building on the solid foundations already laid, the Government, work with providers and local authorities, will look to ensure that provision, take-up and access of childcare is developed so that parents and families are able to use a supply of year-round high quality, flexible and affordable childcare that also meets the particular needs of different groups, e.g. parents that work shift patterns, families and disabled children."
5. The Childcare Affordability Programme (CAP) was announced in the Government's 10 year Childcare strategy in December 2004 and was launched in November 2005.