The government has introduced the Childcare Bill to bring in 30 hours of free childcare for employed families of 3 and 4 year olds. Plans are being drawn up to introduce the changes for some families a year earlier than planned, with pilots in some areas offering 30 hours worth of free places from September 2016.

The government has also announced that the DfE will begin a review of the average childcare funding rates paid to providers (the hourly funding provided for each free place). The review will be overseen by Childcare Minister Sam Gyimah.