This year's Childcare Costs Survey has found, once again, above-inflation increases in costs for pre-school childcare in England and Scotland, and out-of-school care in Scotland and Wales.
Commenting on the findings, Alison Garnham, joint chief executive at Daycare Trust, said, 'Yet again the cost of childcare has increased above inflation. Many parents are still reporting a lack of suitable childcare in their neighbourhood, particularly for disabled children and children over the age of 12, which is particularly worrying in light of recent changes to lone-parent benefits.
'It is crucial that parents claim all the help they are entitled to, and that the Government increase the free childcare entitlement to include all two-year-olds. The current review of tax credits should increase the maximum proportion of childcare costs that the poorest parents can claim from 80 to 100 per cent.
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