The report, Around the clock: Childcare services at atypical times, by Ann Mooney and June Statham at the Thomas Coram Research Unit, found that childcare services are generally failing to follow parents who have to work weekends or on shifts as Britain moves to a more service-based economy.
All 150 Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships in England were surveyed for the report and although nearly all acknowledged the need for childcare 'at atypical times', fewer than a third had tried to develop such provision.
The report identified some helpful initiatives such as a community nanny scheme, weekend care at a children's centre in hospital grounds and a childminding network to meet the needs of police employees. It noted, 'It is very difficult for atypical hours services to be financially viable in the short term without some form of additional funding. Development of such services is more likely to take place with significant backing from employers, as has occurred with some NHS Trusts.'
The report found the most flexible care providers to be childminders, though few provided care before 7am or after 7pm or at weekends. It said, 'Childcare outside standard working hours was even less likely to be offered by day nurseries, playgroups or out-of-school clubs.'
The report warned that childcare at atypical times should not be 'bolted on' to existing services, as that would require carers 'to work even longer hours than many already do'. It noted that childcarers were reluctant to work non-standard hours because of the impact it would have on their own families.
The report added, 'It would be ironic if by encouraging (carers) to extend their working hours to provide childcare for parents working atypical hours, their own work-life balance was sacrificed.' Concern was also expressed about an over-reliance on childminders 'to fill this gap in services, and the possible effects on childminders, their own families and the children they care for', though the report noted that 'childminding networks and sitter services offer a promising way forward'.
The report's co-author June Statham said, 'Childcare services at non-standard times of day cannot simply be bolted on to existing services.
It may be better to develop new types of service, recruiting people without current childcare responsibilities, rather than expecting existing providers to extend their hours.'
A summary of the report is available free from JRF, The Homestead, 40 Water End, York Y030 6WP or on the website www.jrf.org.uk.
