The extortionate costs of childcare are putting parents across the North under huge financial pressure. Many parents have been forced to work extra shifts or change their job to meet this bill, while others have had to leave employment entirely to look after their children. 

No parent should have to choose between caring for their child or pursuing their chosen career. We want to give every child the best start in life and every parent the support they need.  

We will: 

• Enhance ante-natal support, to give every child support from their first days
• Expand early years parenting support initiatives for parents of children of 0-2 years
• Increase the provision of FREE pre-school CHILDCARE from 12.5 hours per week to 30 hours per week
• Develop a world-class early years system to support our workforce 

Read our Early Years and Childcare Plan below: