Having recently visited Twerton Infant School, I know just how important the early years are for all children's school readiness and future educational success. I also know that working families struggle to find flexible, affordable and high-quality childcare. For many parents, this challenge is the biggest barrier to work. So I, like the Government, am determined-to deliver measures that will give all children the best start in life, support parents to work and allow our economy and our society to prosper as a result.
As part of the Government's plans, it will conduct an early years funding formula review to understand how providers cater for children with disabilities and special educational needs. The Government's proposals for tax-free childcare also mean that the maximum amount parents could pay into their childcare accounts is double the amount that could be paid for children without disabilities. Parents can use that money for children with disabilities until they are 18, and for children who are not disabled until they are 12.
The Government is working with local authorities such as BANES, who have a duty to ensure that they provide places for all children, including those with disabilities, as it develops the delivery of the programme now, through the early implementer stage from September 2016. Around 1,800 local authorities and providers have already come forward to register their interest in taking part in the early implementer pilots and there are huge opportunities through this to encourage innovative approaches to providing flexible childcare for working parents whose children are disabled, and to make sure that all eligible children, including those with special educational needs, are able to access the 30 hours offer.