Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of school teacher training (INSET) days on working parents' childcare arrangements; and whether her Department has considered options to support the provision of supervised childcare or activity-based provision for pupils on such days.

Local authorities are responsible for ensuring that there is sufficient childcare, so far as is reasonably practicable, to meet the requirements of parents in their area who need childcare in order to work, or to undertake education or training which could reasonably be expected to assist them to obtain work. This includes childcare for school-age children during school holidays and INSET days.

The department recognises the importance of working parents being able to access suitable childcare when schools are not open to pupils. Local authorities should assess local demand and work with schools, childcare providers and other partners to address gaps in provision.

The government is supporting local authorities to maintain sufficient school-age childcare provision, including through £12.9 million of capacity funding in 2026/27. This funding supports local authorities to sustain sufficient school-age childcare systems and respond to the childcare needs of families in their areas.