Jeremy Corbyn pledges Labour government would expand free childcare to all 2-4 year olds and open 1,000 new Sure Start centres

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email But experts said questions over how the policy will be funded would "strike fear into the hearts of many providers". Labour has promised to significantly extend free childcare and open 1,000 new Sure Start centres across the country if it wins the general election. “Labour will open a Sure Start centre in every community and fund 30 hours’ free childcare for all two to four year olds to unlock the potential of every child.” House of Commons Library analysis commissioned by Labour found that extending free childcare to 30 hours a week would save parents who are currently only entitled to half that amount more than £2,500 a year. “The Tories have slashed funding for Sure Start leading to a loss of 1,000 centres, while their so-called free childcare offer locks out those families most in need of support.” Sure Start centres were introduced by New Labour to help parents access a range of services for their young children, including education, healthcare and parenting advice. Jeremy Corbyn does a Boris Johnson impression at Labour campaign rally Experts warned that Labour's promise to open 1,000 new Sure Start centres would need to be properly funded if it were to have a positive impact.