Nursery World - The single-parent trap

Lack of available suitable childcare, and the high cost of that which is accessible, are pushing single parents and their children into poverty says Victoria Benson

Victoria Benson, chief executive at Gingerbread

We know that single parents want to work – not just because they tell us this, but because Government data shows us this is true.

Before the pandemic, almost 70 per cent of single parents were in work, and those who weren’t were often at home with very young babies, managing caring responsibilities or unable to work because of disability.

Childcare is even more vital for single parents who, unlike couples, can’t share the load with a partner. These extra challenges and lack of flexibility mean single parents are often trapped in low-paid roles and face more disadvantage and poverty.

Affordable childcare is an essential part of the route out of poverty, but sadly, many single parents have had to turn down jobs simply because they are unable to pay the costs of childcare, or because there is no childcare available. While the shortage of affordable childcare isn’t a new issue, it has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

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