More than £330,000 is to be spent creating 114 new early years and childcare places in Essex.

The funding agreements with eight early year providers are in addition to the capital programme and will be fully funded by receiving a Childcare Expansion Capital Grant from the government.

As part of the new Department for Education (DfE) Childcare Reforms Expansion Initiative implemented in April 2024, younger children of eligible working parents can access an early year funded place through the expanded 30-hour entitlement.

From September 2024, children aged between nine months and three years of eligible working parents have been able to access 15 hours of childcare support per week, effective from the term after they turn nine months old until the term after they turn three. From September 2025, children of eligible working parents aged nine months old can access 30 hours of childcare support per week after they turn nine months old. 

To assist with implementing the Early Years Expansion, Essex County Council has received almost £3 million in capital funding from the DfE to provide support to early years providers to create additional childcare places.

Of 84 applications for DfE funding, eight providers have fully met the criteria, including Little Nipperz in Mayland and Abacus Learning in Colchester.

Little Nipperz is getting £105,000 for 32 places through a new setting on the grounds of Tiptree Heath School, while Abacus Learning in Colchester is getting £12,420 for nine places.

A second round of the DfE Childcare Reforms Expansion capital grant will be advertised to the early years and childcare sector at the start of the autumn 2025 term to allocate the remaining funding.