Nearly all of the parents questioned (86 per cent) also said that they paid more than the average for childcare and around three-quarters of parents had cut their working hours or left jobs because of problems accessing appropriate childcare.
Parents of disabled children ‘consistently’ highlighted the lack of suitable childcare available. This is even more acute for children with complex needs and health conditions, older children, those with challenging behaviour and children requiring specialist support to access childcare settings.
More than 1,200 parent carers and 35 organisations contributed to the inquiry, carried out by a cross-party group of MPs and peers.
The report concluded that, 'The inquiry has put beyond doubt the presence of failures which fly in the face of the intent of the statutory duties, equalities legislation and the aspiration of an inclusive childcare system.'
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