It seems that you can claim childcare benefits from the UK government for your 2-year-old only if you are not working or are very low income. It seems strange that it covers people who seemingly choose not to work.
Cynically, it seems that these are the parents most able to take care of their kids themselves, so least in need of childcare, but not a parent or low income, so I realise I am likely missing something.
To me, the policy only makes sense from a perspective that every parent should ideally have their kid in childcare, but the government wants to avoid paying for kids whose parents may be able to foot the bill themselves. Does the government consider it beneficial for all kids to be in childcare? I'm no educational psychologist, but that seems strange to me.
I'd love if anyone knows the government stated rationale for such a policy, but well considered opinions welcome.