A HEAD teacher from Devon was the toast of Westminster yesterday when a government Minister thanked him for helping on his ‘moral mission’ to give the best possible childcare to parents.

Jonathan Bishop, from from Broadclyst Academy on Monday, March 2 among Childcare Minister Sam Gyimah’s guests at a Department for Education reception in Lancaster House.

He was one of 120 early years professionals from all over the country invited to thank them for improving children’s futures and implementing the department’s policies which have resulted in an unprecedented demand for childcare.

Sam Gyimah said: “The importance of childcare is huge in a child’s development and upbringing – that’s why we all have a moral mission to get it right.

“I am very proud of what Jonathan has done to make sure parents from Devon can make the best possible childcare choices for their families.

“As Childcare Minister, I’ve been privileged to travel all over the country meeting with providers. The consistently high bar they set made me want to put on an event to say ‘thank you’ for the work they are doing.”

Jonathan said: “The demand from a childcare point of view has increased hugely because of the extension of free childcare to 40 per cent of two year olds.

“From a parent’s point of view, the idea of childcare in a school setting is proving very popular and I think people are able to see that the idea of having a qualified teacher available to work with children can have massive benefits”

During this Parliament, the government has stimulated the market by increasing funding from £2 billion to £3 billion per year and extended the offer of free childcare to 15 hours per week to all three-and-four year olds and 40 per cent of two-year-olds.

Parents will also be able to purchase more hours of childcare thanks to the upcoming introduction of Tax Free Childcare and Universal Credit.

Providers have been helped by a simplification of regulations that allow successful nurseries to expand more easily.

New childcare businesses have also benefited from a £2 million extension of the government’s Childcare Business Grant scheme, which provides grants of up to £500 to help people set up a new childcare business.