Since 2002 the Family and Childcare Trust has undertaken an annual childcare survey – measuring the prices of childcare for parents and the availability of childcare places. The data – collected from local authority Family Information Services – make it possible to monitor changes in childcare prices and its supply from year-to-year. The Trust reports that:
“Over the last five years, while there have been deep cuts to other public services, the Government has increased spending on childcare. But despite this welcome investment, this year’s survey finds childcare prices have continued to increase and the gaps in provision remain unfilled. The reality is that for too many families it simply does not pay to work.”
The Summer Budget announcement of further free childcare for working parents of 3-4 year old children will no doubt be welcomed by many but many nurseries claim that the funding they receive does not cover the full cost of provision, and so prices are raised for those that have to pay.
Over the last Parliament the cost of a part-time nursery place for a child under two has increased by 32.8%. A family paying for this type of care now spends £1,533 more this year than they did in 2010, while wages have remained largely static.
The cost of childcare is still reported by RAF parents as the most challenging thing about the provision. This has been the case over the 2 previous surveys; however 2015 has seen a marked increase to 56% of respondents......
The most challenging thing about the current childcare provision is…
56%
2015 2011 2010
31% 26% 19% 16% 12% 9% 4%
The quality of childcare available in this area
Out of hours cover i.e. outside of normal
working day (Mon-Fri)
Operational deployment commitments
Cost / Value for money
10% 7%7% 5% 4% 7% 2%
Childcare during
the school holidays
2%2%3% 3% 0%
Distance Lack of choice Does not apply
27% 20% 13% 15%
8
www.raf-ff.org.uk
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