Our National Support Programme for DfE

In January 2024, we were appointed by the Department for Education (DfE) as the Delivery Support Contractor for the Early Years Entitlements and Wraparound Childcare expansions. This contract ended on 31 March 2026.

We specialise in providing expert advice and guidance to local authorities and working with central government to deliver successful programmes. The Childcare Works programme is a partnership between Mott MacDonald and Coram Hempsall’s, and it was our role to support these unprecedented sector expansion ambitions. Together with Coram Family and Childcare we have extensive experience and expertise in early education and childcare provision, with a Childcare Works track record of delivering contracts of national importance for local authorities such as: Holiday Activities and Food (HAF 2021-present), 30 hours childcare (2016-2020), and 15 hours for disadvantaged two-year-olds (Achieving 2 Year Olds A2YO 2012-2016).

Coram Hempsall’s

The Coram Hempsall’s team led local authority (LA) support and challenge, providing a named adviser alongside a team of specialist expert advisers who offered targeted specialist support as required. We provided a universal offer of regional and national network meetings, thematic support, and resources dependent upon need. We also delivered targeted support for those LAs who were identified as requiring more focused support based on a system of prioritisation. We also delivered provider support, through stakeholder engagement, and the development tools and documentation.

Mott MacDonald

Mott MacDonald (MM) led the programme and contract management, including the coordination of events and webinars, dissemination of information and learning, and monitoring milestones and deliverables. Mott MacDonald was also responsible for the Childcare Works helpdesk, updating content to K-Hub and managing the SharePoint portal that supported data collection from LA early years and wraparound teams. MM also lead and managed the development of data collection and analysis across the length of the programme.

Coram Family and Childcare (CFC)

Coram supported the collection and collation of learning and designing and maintaining our websites that hosted resources (case studies, and best practice tools etc) in a variety of formats (podcast, blogs, videos etc.) for both LAs and providers. CFC was also responsible for collecting and sharing evidence and learning from the early adopters, and convening an expert and stakeholder board to test and challenge assumptions and support with programme decisions.

Getting in contact

The Childcare Works helpdesk closed on 31 March 2026.

DfE asks that local authorities now contact their DfE early years regional lead (for early years issues) or for the wraparound programme to contact: wraparound.finance@education.gov.uk

Childcare Works resources for providers and local authorities

Resources developed by this programme are now held by DfE and shared on the DfE EY Team K-Hub titled Early Years Expansion and Wraparound Programmes. Home - DfE EY Team - Knowledge Hub (khub.net)