Parents who receive benefits or have children with special needs or disabilities (SEND) could save up to £350 a year on extra childcare costs under Government plans.
The Department for Education (DfE) is set to crack down on unspent council funding for free childcare hours which is not passed on to nurseries and childminders.
The money could be used to help disadvantaged and lower-income families pay for food at nurseries or transport to drop off their children.
Shorts
Councils currently receive money for the Government-funded hours based on estimates, which is leading to underspends in areas where fewer parents are taking up the offer.
