The report, Cr che Barriers: How Britain can grow its childcare industry, claims that the institutional arrangements the Government has put in place are, in some cases, stifling growth. It says Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships in England have suffered from a number of weaknesses, including the absence of strategic thinking and a lack of skills in business development and marketing.
The report also argues that the Government's approach is fragmented without a visible point of contact for co-ordinating strategy and no clear line of accountability. Nevertheless, it says, individuals and organisations, including childminders, community entrepreneurs and commercial nursery chains, are working in 'imaginative and innovative ways' to expand provision and are 'succeeding in spite of - not because of - the system'.
Cr che Barriers, produced by Demos and Genderquake, a consultancy focusing on issues around gender, says the Government and employers will need to subsidise the costs of childcare further if it is to be made affordable and sustainable. Tax relief should be extended to all forms of employer-provided childcare.
The report also calls for the Government to create a childcare development agency, including providing access to start-up finance, advice and support.
The report is available for 8 from Central Books on 020 8986 5488.
