Hundreds of families across North Yorkshire are set to benefit from new government-funded childcare places, giving parents more flexibility to work and supporting early years education.
Among the providers expanding their offer is Rosedene Nurseries in Northallerton, which recently opened a new outdoor educational tipi with help from funding delivered by North Yorkshire Council. The tipi will allow the nursery to offer 15 additional places, increasing its capacity to more than 70 children.
The tipi has been specially designed to inspire curiosity and wellbeing, with areas dedicated to reading, imaginative play, mindfulness, and forest school-style activities. Sessions in the tipi will be part of the regular nursery routine, ensuring every child can enjoy the space.
Sir Stuart Carlton, corporate director of children and young people’s services at North Yorkshire Council, said: “The tipi adds to what is already a fantastic nursery. It gives them another room, another space to explore and opportunity to do different things with the children. It’s a change of environment that really supports their learning and development.”
Alice Haslam, managing director of Rosedene Nurseries, said: “This new learning space reflects everything we believe in at Rosedene, learning through curiosity, connection with nature, and creating a calm, nurturing environment. It’s exciting to be able to share this space with our families and the wider community.”
Across the county, 483 additional childcare places are being introduced this year for eligible working parents, with support from a £1.1 million capital grant awarded to the council. The funding has been shared with nurseries, childminders, preschools, and schools to support both early years and wraparound care such as breakfast and after-school clubs.
Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for education, learning and skills, said: “Our aim is to give all children in North Yorkshire the best start in life. Our early years providers are vital for the county, not only ensuring that our parents are able to work but that children get the benefit of an early years’ education which is crucial for their development. Similarly, the funding has allowed wraparound provision in North Yorkshire to be introduced or expanded supporting parents to work more flexibly.”
Currently, eligible working parents of children aged nine months to three years can access 15 hours of free childcare per week. From September 2025, this will expand to 30 hours per week for children under three, aligning with the entitlement already available for three- and four-year-olds.
To qualify, parents must be working and earning the equivalent of at least 16 hours per week at minimum wage, but no more than £100,000 per year individually. For more information, visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.
