Bucks armed forces families will be first in country to benefit from new MoD childcare pilot

Buckinghamshire has been chosen as the location to trial a new Ministry of Defence (MoD) initiative to help service families juggle the unique demands of their job with family life.

The free wraparound childcare initiative will be open to families based at RAF Halton and RAF High Wycombe starting from September and running through the academic year until July 2021.

The scheme will offer up to 20 hours a week of free wraparound childcare including breakfast and after school clubs to eligible families with children aged 4 to 11. On behalf of the MoD, Buckinghamshire Council is currently contacting local education providers to inform them of the scheme and encourage them to sign up.The scheme will work in a similar way to the current childcare vouchers available to families on low incomes.

Anita Cranmer, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills said: “We are delighted that Buckinghamshire has been chosen as the location to run this pilot scheme.

“Our Armed Forces families in RAF High Wycombe and RAF Halton will benefit greatly and we would encourage all our local schools and Ofsted registered childcare providers to get on board. The more providers who sign up will mean families will have a greater choice of options and so they can choose the one that best suits their needs.

“In Buckinghamshire we are already committed to doing all we can to support all those who have served or are serving in our armed forces, as set out in our Armed Forces Covenant. This scheme will complement our work and gives us a further opportunity to demonstrates our gratitude for everything those serving in the armed forces do for us.”