Evaluation of early implementation of 30 hours free childcare

This document describes an evaluation of the early stages of the UK's 30 hours free childcare policy, which aims to support working parents by reducing childcare costs. The evaluation employed various methods, including mixed-method approaches, logic models, and data analysis, to assess the policy's impact on childcare provision, parental employment, and family income. Results showed a general willingness among providers to offer extended hours, with most places provided by private entities. Challenges identified included financial sustainability, staffing, venue space, and policy delivery issues. While the policy has been positively received by parents and has increased formal childcare use and work hours, there are concerns about its long-term viability, potential negative effects on childcare quality, and whether it can meet future demand. Higher income families seem to benefit slightly more from the policy. Recommendations for the national rollout emphasize the need for clear guidance, support for local authorities, addressing provider financial concerns, and ensuring efficient local processes. The evaluation suggests that with careful consideration of the lessons learned and empirical testing to understand the policy's full effects, the program could be successful. **This summary was written by an AI model and therefore should not be considered a definitive summary of the report. If you are aware of inaccuracies, please email evaluation.registry@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.**

Description

• Lead department: Department for Education (DfE)
• Evaluation stage: A complete evaluation report
• Other departments: No other departments listed
• Evaluation types: Process evaluation
• Process methods: Case studies; Other; Surveys and polling
• Grant information: This intervention is not distributing funding via a grant
• Government Major Project information: This intervention is not a major project
• Policies: No policies provided

Event Dates

• Event Name: Publication of final results
• Event date: July 2017

Evaluation Costs

• Cost: Not provided

Evaluation sharing

• Link(s) to published report(s): Yes
• Links to evaluation plans: No link provided
• Findings: Not provided
• Permission to share confirmed: Yes