Dr Andrew Murrison MP has visited RAF High Wycombe to gain greater understanding of the impact of the Wraparound Childcare Scheme on service families.
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More than 5,500 children of military personnel are now enrolled in the Wraparound Childcare (WAC) scheme, which gives service families funded childcare worth around £3,400.
The scheme was rolled out across the UK at the start of the autumn term and provides up to 20 hours per week of funded childcare for eligible military parents with children aged 4 to 11 years.
It follows successful trials at pilot sites around the country over the last two years. With more than 5,500 children enrolled in just three months, the Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families is now urging more military personnel to take up the offer – with 20,000 children across the UK eligible.
During his visit, which was hosted by the Station Commander, Wing Commander Dennis, Dr Murrison visited the on-Station nursery, Quackers, where he spoke to the owner, Anthony Pickford as well as families benefitting from the Wraparound Childcare Scheme.
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Our Armed Forces personnel and families continue to make great sacrifices to serve their country, and that is why earlier this year we rolled out wraparound childcare to support both their careers and family life. This important step underlines our appreciation of the challenges that serving in the Armed Forces can place on families, and we must continue to support them in any way possible.
Dr Andrew Murrison
Minster for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families
Everyone I have spoken to who also benefits from wraparound childcare agrees that it’s a fantastic scheme. For my family it saved us financially, reduced our stress levels, and has given us more quality time with our children.
Corporal Taylor
The introduction of this scheme is recognition of the unique challenges faced by serving personnel and their families. Among these, the requirement to frequently move home means that sourcing childcare can be even more difficult for Service families, particularly for dual-serving families, where both parents are members of the Armed Forces. This scheme provides direct support to these families and is part of the wider package to reward service personnel and their families.
The scheme has shown signs of being a great success and there has already been a positive impact on the service families involved. Feedback shows an improvement in family wellbeing, increased contentment with service life for non-serving partners as well as the huge financial savings.
We have great pride in the fact that RAF High Wycombe was selected for the pilot scheme and so pleased that the decision was made to roll it out fully across the country. I have not heard a bad word against the scheme. It offers flexibility to hard working parents.
Danielle Bowman
Community Development Officer, RAF High Wycombe
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A former naval officer, Dr Murrison was awarded a Royal Navy scholarship and qualified as a doctor from the University of Bristol’s medical school in 1984. Until 2000 Murrison served in the Royal Navy as a medical officer based at Fareham and retired with the rank of Surgeon-Commander. In 2003, as a naval reserve officer, Dr Murrison was recalled to serve in Iraq for a six-month tour of duty.
