The experience of employers in the US, where government funding of childcare is very low, proved illuminating, but minister for children, young people and families Margaret Hodge made it clear that the UK government expects to see greater involvement of employers here in funding and provision.
This does not mean that there should be a workplace nursery at every office, however. There are many different ways that employers can become involved for the good of their own workforce and the community in general - funding nursery places, offering salary sacrifice vouchers, working with childminding networks, helping with information about childcare choices, and allowing flexible working. The evidence of the benefits in terms of reducing turnover of staff, reducing absenteeism and the cost savings to be made from this, and in becoming an 'employer of choice' so as to attract the best people to your organisation, are persuasive indeed.
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