Thousands of working parents of children aged nine-months and up are set to benefit from free childcare.
After the scheme was first rolled-out to working parents of children aged two earlier this year as part of the “largest expansion of childcare in history”, the Government has now extended this to children aged nine-months and up, ahead of expanding it even further to a total of 30 funded hours from next September.
This now means that working parents of children from the age of nine-months can now apply for 15-hours of free childcare per week.
The Government says the scale of challenge in delivering this scheme that it inherited from the former Government is a “substantial” one, but ministers are now “taking the action needed” to put this promise into action.
We're creating an early years sector built on strong foundations, where children can start school ready to learn🧸
Eligible working parents of children from 9-months-old will begin to access 15 hours of childcare this Monday.
“To deliver what parents have been promised requires an unprecedented rate of growth in childcare places and staff,” the Department for Education (DfE) conceded.
The expansion in Government-funded childcare hours is said to be just one step towards the Education Secretary’s vision of an early education and childcare system that “supports children to build on strong foundations” and “start school ready to learn”.
Speaking as the scheme extended to working parents of nine-month-olds this week, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson explained: “I’ve already said that early years is my number one priority, and that’s why we are delivering the childcare rollout I know will be such a help to hard-pressed parents.
Working parents of children aged nine-months and up can now apply for free childcare / Credit: Troy T | Ryan Fields (via Unsplash)
“This inherited plan comes with significant delivery challenges.
“I must warn that for some parents it will not be plain sailing, and while I am excited to see children starting nursery for the first time, or parents being able to increase their working hours, the work for the Government starts now.
“Over the next year, I will be working flat out with my team to ensure the next phase of the rollout is possible.”
In addition to the extension of funded childcare, the Government has also announced its intent to introduce new “wraparound” childcare places for primary school-aged children, both before and after the school day.
Find out if you’re eligible for free childcare on the gov.uk website here.
Featured Image – Tai’s Captures (via Unsplash)
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Retail giant Uniqlo delays opening date for new Leeds store
It's official, Uniqlo is making its way to Leeds. Well, it's about time isn't it?
You may remember last June that murmurings of Uniqlo opening in Leeds were happening.
The news spread after planning documents appeared for new ‘Uniqlo’ signage on the Store House building on Briggate.
We've been keeping our fingers crossed that the news was actually true, and it is.
Uniqlo themselves have confirmed that three new stores will be popping up across the UK over the next two years, with one of them being right here in Leeds.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Their first store of the roll-out opened in Birmingham's Bullring, followed by a new store in Bristol this year.
Leeds was also meant to open this year, but unfortunately, Uniqlo has announced things are delayed and its opening will be pushed into 2027.
The Leeds store will be 1,100 square metres and will be located on Briggate in the old House of Fraser site.
CGI mockups from firms Thirty One Design and Ink Associates include the glass fronted store with Uniqlo’s signature red signage hanging above the door and off the building.
These will be made from sheet metal with a “sprayed finish” – sounds pretty swanky if you ask us.
Uniqlo UK COO Alessandro Dudech stated: "Uniqlo remains committed to strengthening its presence within the UK retail sector by expanding both our physical store network and ecommerce capabilities nationwide.
"As part of this strategic initiative, we look forward to introducing Uniqlo to the communities and visitors in the North of England, at the new Leeds location and simultaneously reaching customers in the South West in Bristol's Cabot Circus.".
Uniqlo is known for its affordable and minimalist clothing, stocking everything from raincoats and puffer jackets to jeans and a wide range of accessories.
We’ll keep you updated on the timeframe, as to be honest we’re just as excited as you are to be welcoming Uniqlo to the high street.
Police urgently appeal after teenage boy was stabbed in Leeds over bank holiday weekend
Emily Sergeant
Detectives are appealing for witnesses after a teenage boy was stabbed in Leeds over the bank holiday weekend.
West Yorkshire Police explained that officers were called out to Roundhay Road at around at 6:05pm on Monday 31 August following reports that a 13-year-old boy had been stabbed, and once they arrived on the scene, the victim was located and subsequently taken to hospital, where he received treatment for an injury described as non-life-threatening.
Police say the incident occurred near to the Leeds West Indian Carnival, but are keen to assure the public that they believe this was an 'isolated and targeted' act.
Following further enquiries, it is now believed that the actual offence occurred on Shepherd’s Lane, potentially near the junction with Back Hares Avenue.
Investigating officers have released information on the suspect and identified several people they are keen to speak to.
As the police investigation is ongoing, Detective Chief Inspector Scott Hartley commented: "This is clearly a concerning incident in which a young teenage boy has suffered a significant stab wound.
"We have extensive enquiries ongoing, including house to house enquiries and reviewing CCTV. We are conscious though that this offence has occurred near to the Leeds West Indian Carnival and there will have been a large number of people in the vicinity who may not necessarily be from the Chapeltown area.
“The suspect for this offence is described as being male, around 15-16 years-old and was wearing a balaclava. He was with two girls. We are keen to speak to anyone who believes they may have seen this group in the area or who witnessed any part of this incident.
"Although this was a serious incident, our enquiries so far suggest it was an isolated and targeted act... [and] we remain focused on identifying those responsible and providing reassurance to the community."
Can you help? Anyone with information is asked to contact Leeds CID online, or by calling 101, quoting crime reference 13260496572.
Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd September 2024 
