Two-thirds of parents of under-fives feel party manifestos don't go far enough in supporting families

The Early Education and Childcare Coalition has published new polling by More in Common that shows that 60 per cent of parents think the main parties are not doing enough to increase the availability of places, while a further 64 per cent of parents don’t feel enough is being promised to bring down the cost of childcare.

It follows the EECC’s manifesto for the new Government backed by its 35 members including trade unions, parent campaigners and business lobbying groups, which calls for better access for all children, fair funding for providers and a new workforce strategy to address the retention and recruitment crisis in early years.

Parents also said they are still uncertain about the delivery of the Conservatives’ plans for the expanded childcare offer with just 50 per cent saying they felt confident that the plan would improve childcare for them.

Respondents were also asked which of the policies proposed by the main parties would make the single biggest difference to childcare in England. The most popular policy was a pledge to ensure that early years providers receive enough funding to cover the cost of delivering government schemes.

When asked about the effectiveness of other policies proposed by the main parties to improve childcare in the early years, 65 per cent of parents said that better flexible working and enhanced parental leave would make the biggest difference.

The same percentage said breakfast clubs in primary schools would be effective in improving childcare, while 61 per cent said more investment in early intervention and support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) would be effective. 

Commenting on the findings, Sarah Ronan, director of the EECC, said, ‘The new government will take office amid the biggest expansion of childcare support in history and just two months out from the next phase of the roll-out. As our polling shows, families are not yet convinced that political parties have grasped the scale of the challenge for the early years sector or the pressure facing parents.

‘Those running for government need to show they understand that, and more importantly, that they are willing to take action to address the root causes of the crisis in early years. That action must include more support for the sector and the early years workforce so they can meet demand and deliver for babies, toddlers and their parents.’

Jane van Zyl, chief executive of Working Families said that parents regularly contacted their advice line, saying that they wanted to stay in work but are struggling with a lack of flexibility and are considering leaving their jobs or working reduced hours in order to meet their caring responsibilities.

‘It's no surprise to us that working parents place a high value on flexible working opportunities and decent parental leave provision. Parents need affordable childcare, but they also need jobs with flexibility that support this.’

‘Any future government must take heed of the call to do more to support parents, particularly accessing flexible working opportunities, and enabling fathers and partners to take longer, better paid periods of leave, beyond the two weeks of statutory paternity leave currently offered.’

June O'Sullivan and CEO of London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) said, ‘It's crystal clear from this latest poll that Early Childhood Education and Care really matters to the whole country. Therefore, whichever political party comes into power on Friday needs to ensure that both the funding and provision will be adequate to ensure all children, especially those from poorer disadvantaged backgrounds and those with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND), can access nurseries which provide high-quality care and education.’

She added the recruitment of talented, committed and properly rewarded Early Years staff is critical in helping meet the increase in demand for childcare.

‘If there's a steep shortage of staff, there will inevitably be a shortage of places and this is bad news for children, parents and the economy.’

Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said, 'Whichever party is in government on Friday, there is no denying the fact that they start their tenure at a critical time for the early years, with providers facing significant underfunding and staffing key challenges and the sector less than two months away from the next phase of the early entitlement expansion.

'There is no doubt, therefore, that substantially increased funding - both now and in the long term - and a comprehensive workforce strategy are key if the next government is to have any chance of ensuring that all families, regardless of their background or location, can benefit from affordable, high-quality early education and care.'