Difficulty accessing early years provision has left more than a quarter (27 per cent) of parents with under-fives struggling to balance work and childcare, according to a poll by the Early Years Alliance.
Parents in disadvantaged areas were most likely to feel unsupported by Government policies, the survey said.
The poll of more than 3,000 parents, carried out in July and August 2021, found:
Neil Leitch, Early Years Alliance chief executive, said, ‘This Government has repeatedly told the public it is on the side of working families, but cuts to crucial early care and education tell a different story. Early years settings deliver vital learning and development opportunities to young children, but also provide the quality childcare that parents rely on to work, bring in additional income and further their careers.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here
