The pattern of childcare has barely changed in the past ten years, despite all the government’s talk of encouraging mothers into work, according to the first comprehensive study of Britain’s childcare.
The report, Childcare Nation?, published by the Daycare Trust in partnership with the National Centre for Social Research, found that, while there has been an expansion in nursery places for 3 to 4 year olds, this has not benefited working parents who continue to have to pay high prices for private childcare.
Moreover, 28% of parents using all or part of the 12.5 hours a week free places for 3 and 4 year olds are having to pay for it. For instance, parents have been asked to pay if they want to take all the hours in two days to fit in with work rather than over five days. Some parents are also being charged for extras like meals as nurseries claim the government subsidy is not high enough. The government denies this.
The report also found that only 3% of families apply for the childcare element of tax credits.
In addition, parents reported problems finding flexible childcare and accessing childcare at atypical hours and during school holidays. However, there did not seem to be a big take-up of out-of-school club places. Only 16% of primary school children and 6% of 12-14 year olds use them. This is despite a massive increase in places available – up from 341,500 to 507,000. The Trust says research shows children benefit from organised activities rather than being left to play by themselves at home.
The report also finds that the number of full-time working mothers has remained virtually unchanged, but more mothers are working longer part-time hours. However, affordable childcare remains a barrier, particularly for lone parents and those on low incomes.
Emma Knights, Daycare Trust’s Joint-Chief Executive, says: “The continuing cost barriers faced by parents raise questions about the market’s ability to respond to parents’ diverse needs, particularly for care at atypical hours, during school holidays and flexible care.”
The report paints a picture of a divided country, with wealthy areas having in some cases too many – mainly private - nursery places which threaten the viability of state-maintained nurseries and more deprived areas which depend on subsidised nurseries.
The report also backs up research that shows the importance of quality childcare provision.
“It is only high quality childcare and early years provision that continues to make a difference to cognitive achievement through primary school, and evidence suggests that high quality childcare may reduce any potential negative behavioural impacts of childcare at a young age,” said Knights.
The report shows children in good-quality early years education and care get a good educational advantage and that the advantages increase the longer they stay in good quality childcare. But it shows that long hours in group care, particularly low quality care, can have a negative impact on younger children.
The Daycare Trust says one way of improving childcare would be to ensure care staff meet minimum Ofsted requirements. It says a high proportion of the workforce does not meet these standards.
Other key points in the report are:
The Daycare Trust wants the government to expand free nursery places for 2-4 year olds to at least 20 hours a week, 48 weeks a year. It also wants the government to subsidise out of school activities for all 11 to 14 year olds and for younger children from poorer families with a view to making them free.
In addition it is calling for improvements in childcare training and increased funding to help local councils develop affordable childcare for children in deprived areas.
A summary of the report is available to download from www.daycaretrust.org.uk.
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