Nursery World - Cost of childcare remains too high for parents, charity warns

A part-time nursery place is costing British parents more than £6,000 a year, twice as much as what the average household spends on food and drink, according to the Family and Childcare Trust.

The family charity also says that most local authorities in England have reported insufficient care in their area for two-year-olds eligible for free childcare. Inadequate care also exists for after-school care and for disabled children. Children with parents working atypical hours are also experiencing a lack of available childcare.

The Family and Childcare Trust’s annual childcare survey report highlights the necessity in ensuring families can access the high quality childcare needed to boost their child’s development, while also allowing for parents to work. It calls on the Government to re-evaluate early years spending, including how effective it is at increasing employment opportunities for parents and ultimately ‘narrowing the achievement gap in the early years.’ It also urges the Government to review funding for free childcare entitlements annually based on evidence of the cost of providing high quality provision.

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