More childcare places are needed in York to support the expansion of free hours to eligible parents, a council report has stated.

Up to 304 places may be needed so parents and carers can claim up to 30 hours of free childcare a week by September 2025.

A further 390 ‘wraparound’ places such as at breakfast clubs and after-school clubs may also be needed for pupils so more parents can get care in the next two years.

City of York Council’s Executive Member for Children Cllr Bob Webb said new places would benefit both young people and parents but expanding childcare would be a challenge.

It comes as the council’s Executive approved the use of a total of £922,800 to expand early years and wraparound places in York to ensure there are enough places.

A programme begun under the previous Conservative government gave eligible working parents of two year olds 15 hours of free childcare a week.

It was brought in partly so that more parents and carers could return to work rather than looking after their children.

The programme expanded this month to cover aged nine months and above of eligible parents, those earning more than £9,518 and less than £100,000 a year.

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The new Labour government has stuck with the rollout with the next expansion of free early years childcare due by September 2025.

Cllr Bob WebbCllr Bob Webb

Labour has also said it wants to open an extra 3,000 nurseries by creating more space in primary schools.

It is set to see eligible parents entitled to up to 30 hours of free childcare a week during term time for children from nine months to primary school age.

The Government’s aim is for all parents and carers of primary age children to have access to wraparound childcare from schools or other providers by September 2026.

York Council has received £333,600 to create early years and wraparound places in places where demand is expected to outstrip supply, including by expanding physical capacity.

The Department for Education has given the council a further £579,200 to support the expansion of wraparound care.

York has also received an extra £10,000 to create more places for children with special educational needs and disabilities and is the only local authority to receive such funding.

Council Assistant Director of Education Maxine Squire said the new places would help support children through a crucial stage of their lives.

But the report stated current estimates showed there would be a shortage of places by September 2025, especially for under threes, unless enough are created in the meantime.

It stated between 33 and 117 full time places could be created in early years if providers convert existing places but if not then up to 304 would be needed.

The report added an extra 390 wraparound places should be created at York schools or 1,008 if private, voluntary and independent providers are included.

Shortages of early years places may develop in the wards of Acomb, Clifton, Fulford and Heslington, Haxby & Wigginton, Heworth and Heworth Without, Strensall and Wheldrake.

Council analysis also showed there could be shortages of wraparound places in Dringhouses and Woodthorpe, Rural West York, Rawcliffe and Clifton Without, Guildhall and Heworth Without without enough new ones.

Executive Member for Children Cllr Webb said pressure was now on to create the number of places required.

The executive member said: “This is the starting gun for that process, expansion is going to be a challenge, a big one.

“Expansion of places will get more adults into work but we should also not lose sight of the benefits to young people themselves.”