Childcare needs to be more accessible and more affordable, but at the same time quality must not be compromised, says Anne Marie Carrie, chief executive of Barnardo's
Barnardo’s is the UK’s largest children’s charity, which works with more than 190,000 children and their families each year
Barnardo’s knows a thing or two about the needs of children, young people and families – particularly how to improve the life chances of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable who are the reason we do the work that we do. So it was with interest that I read that David Cameron was launching a commission on childcare.
With the cost of childcare now one of the biggest financial burdens on families, a review of childcare provision in this country is long overdue. It’s crucial that we examine how we can provide good quality childcare in this country at an affordable price, to ensure that childcare is not only for the top earners but accessible to all families. High quality affordable childcare should be a fundamental plank on which to build a successful society; ensuring that parents can manage the dual task of raising a happy, healthy family who will go on to reach their full potential, whilst working to raise their family out of poverty.
It is for this reason that I welcome the Government’s reform to childcare provision. But we need to ensure that in improving childcare in this country to make it more accessible and affordable we don’t lose the focus on improving the quality and range of provision. There is strong, compelling evidence that quality early years education is the lynchpin of a child’s development – this is particularly important for disadvantaged children who may need that extra support and care during their crucial early years.
In the work we do with disadvantaged children across the UK, we are aware of the extra support and care some children need to keep pace with their better-off peers. Evidence consistently shows that high quality early years provision narrows the gap between disadvantaged children and others. The Government is already reflecting this in its plans to extend free early years education to the 40 percent of two-year-olds who come from the most impoverished backgrounds.
The launch of this childcare commission is an important step forward to help improve the life chances of our youngest citizens. However, the Government must ensure that when considering reforms to the sector it does not compromise the needs of our most vulnerable children. The emphasis must remain on quality.
Barnardo’s knows a thing or two about the needs of children, young people and families – particularly how to improve the life chances of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable who are the reason we do the work that we do. So it was with interest that I read that David Cameron was launching a commission on childcare.
With the cost of childcare now one of the biggest financial burdens on families, a review of childcare provision in this country is long overdue. It’s crucial that we examine how we can provide good quality childcare in this country at an affordable price, to ensure that childcare is not only for the top earners but accessible to all families. High quality affordable childcare should be a fundamental plank on which to build a successful society; ensuring that parents can manage the dual task of raising a happy, healthy family who will go on to reach their full potential, whilst working to raise their family out of poverty.
It is for this reason that I welcome the Government’s reform to childcare provision. But we need to ensure that in improving childcare in this country to make it more accessible and affordable we don’t lose the focus on improving the quality and range of provision. There is strong, compelling evidence that quality early years education is the lynchpin of a child’s development – this is particularly important for disadvantaged children who may need that extra support and care during their crucial early years.
In the work we do with disadvantaged children across the UK, we are aware of the extra support and care some children need to keep pace with their better-off peers. Evidence consistently shows that high quality early years provision narrows the gap between disadvantaged children and others. The Government is already reflecting this in its plans to extend free early years education to the 40 percent of two-year-olds who come from the most impoverished backgrounds.
The launch of this childcare commission is an important step forward to help improve the life chances of our youngest citizens. However, the Government must ensure that when considering reforms to the sector it does not compromise the needs of our most vulnerable children. The emphasis must remain on quality.
