The Netherlands system has been held up as one with elements that the UK could adopt by the British Government, but its reforms appear to be running into trouble.
In 2012, 73 of 2,200 childcare centres went bankrupt, compared to 12 the previous year. Demand for places dropped by 15 per cent in 2012 and a further 10 per cent so far this year as unemployment has risen and the cost of childcare has gone up due to tax credit cuts.
Since the beginning of 2012, the Dutch government has only provided childcare tax credits for the hours worked by the parent in dual earner households who works the fewest hours, usually the mother, in an attempt to increase the number of women working full time.
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