Northumberland County Council has secured nearly £600,000 to expand free childcare places in the South East.

This comes in response to new government policies offering up to 30 hours of free childcare for children aged nine months to four years. The funds will support ten projects aimed at addressing childcare shortages in areas like Ashington and Blyth, where demand exceeds supply.

Despite concerns over staffing shortages in the childcare sector, the council is committed to expanding services and has already begun working with providers to ensure families can access high-quality care.

“This funding will enable us to provide more free childcare places, ensuring children have access to quality early education and parents have the support they need to balance work and family life.”

This funding boost is a positive step toward supporting working parents and ensuring children have access to the early education they need. With more childcare places becoming available, parents in Northumberland will have greater flexibility, and children will have a better start in life.