Government’s Cost-of-Living Support: How Councils Can Deliver More with Coordinate
The UK government has unveiled a major package of cost-of-living support that will significantly reduce childcare costs for working parents and expand provision for families on lower incomes. These initiatives offer councils a critical opportunity to support their communities while meeting national objectives.
Here’s what’s changing:
30 Hours Free Childcare — Now Extended from 9 Months to Reception
- From this month, eligible working parents can claim 30 hours of free childcare per week, available from the term after their child turns 9 months until they start school.
- For a typical family, this represents a potential saving of £7,500 per year.
- The government has also increased investment to ensure childcare providers can expand places, with thousands of new school-based nurseries being funded across the country.
For councils, this means:
- Increased demand for early years provision.
- A need to coordinate places across both school-based and private providers.
- The challenge of ensuring parents know about, and can successfully apply for, the entitlement, particularly with application windows as short as three days.
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme Extended
- The government has committed £600 million to extend HAF for another three years.
- Eligible children will continue to access free meals, enriching activities, and safe spaces during Easter, summer, and Christmas holidays.
- On average, families save around £300 a year through HAF support, but the benefits go far beyond finances — improving nutrition, social engagement, and child wellbeing.
For councils, this means:
- Renewed opportunities to partner with schools, community groups, and providers.
- The need to manage large volumes of places and bookings each holiday period.
- Stronger reporting expectations to demonstrate outcomes and justify future funding.
Why Councils Should Work with Coordinate
While these initiatives promise huge benefits, they also bring challenges for local authorities: rising demand, complex provider networks, and the need for effective community outreach. This is where Coordinate adds value.
How Coordinate Helps Councils Deliver
- Streamlined administration — Simplify bookings, payments, eligibility checks, and communications.
- Maximised take-up — Make it easier for families to find, access, and use their entitlements.
- Provider support — Give schools, nurseries, and community groups the tools they need to deliver places confidently.
- Evidence & reporting — Real-time data dashboards to demonstrate the impact of childcare and HAF programmes.
- Scalable delivery — As schemes expand, Coordinate grows with your council, ensuring smooth rollout at every stage.
Conclusion: A Chance to Lead with Impact
The government’s investment in childcare and HAF creates a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ease financial pressures and improve outcomes for families. But success depends on effective local delivery.
By partnering with Coordinate, councils can:
- Ensure families don’t miss out on the support they’re entitled to.
- Streamline programme management across childcare, HAF, and wraparound care.
- Deliver measurable impact that strengthens community wellbeing.
Get in touch with us today to explore how Coordinate can help your council make the most of this funding.
