Today, we’re celebrating 20 years of Dorset’s Family Information Service! So, what’s changed for families in the last 20 years?
Changes to maternity, paternity and parental leave
Changes with childcare funding
More families use childcare in the UK than ever before. We’re more aware of the benefits that childcare can offer children and families, such as extra learning and social experiences for children and allowing parents to return to work. The increased awareness of these benefits has meant the introduction of government funded schemes, which help families with the cost of childcare.
Here’s a brief history of what’s changed:
1998 – All 4 year olds in England entitled to free childcare for 12½ hours a week.
2004 – 12½ hours of free childcare extended to 3 year olds. Sure Start Children’s Centres were launched to improve childcare, early education, health and family support.
2010 – Free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds increased to 15 hours a week, and is still available.
2013 – 15 hours free childcare extended to include some 2 year olds.
2017 – Increased free childcare for working families with 3 or 4 year olds from 15 hours, up to 30 hours free childcare. In Dorset we were lucky to have been chosen to pilot the scheme, so parents were able to use up to 30 hours free childcare a term earlier than the national roll out.
Tax-Free Childcare also became available in 2017, allowing working parents to get up to £2,000 per year for each child aged 0 to 11 years.
