Whilst Government have acted on many of the Commission’s original recommendations in 2001 which called for help for families needing childcare in every area – access to affordable childcare still remains beyond the reach of many.

With childcare costs soaring to an unaffordable £250 per child per week in some parts of London, too many parents continue to struggle – attempting to balance work with family responsibilities. Although help with childcare costs is available for working parents on very low income, many parents remain ineligible.

At the same time childcare providers are struggling with fewer grants available to them and increasing overheads. Despite gains, there is still only one childcare place per four children and childcare staff turnover remains extremely high at 20% with a workforce suffering from low status and pay conditions. Whilst more funding is available than ever – investment needs to be increased dramatically if parents and children are to have access to the childcare they need.

The report is being launched at a seminar in Westminster on Monday 30 January, chaired by the former head of the Childcare Commission Harriet Harman MP, and addressed by Beverley Hughes MP, Minister for Young People and Families.

The Realising the Childcare Revolution report is calling for Government to:

- Double Government spending on childcare and early years between 2005 and 2010 and pioneer a radical and sustainable funding system for childcare shifting it away from tax credits and onto targeted subsidies for childcare providers

- Appoint a Secretary of State for Children and Families and embed childcare as a long term national cross party political priority.

- Invest in childcare workforce and raising the quality of service

- Fund at least 12 months paid parental leave

- Offer more financial support for lone or unemployed parents to work or study

Anne Longfield, Chief Executive of 4Children said: Childcare can no longer be viewed as a ‘soft’ policy issue. A vast number of improvements have been made, since the Commission presented its recommendations to Government – for example our call for a children’s centre in every area, tax relief for childcare, extended parental leave and flexible working. However public service debate still defaults to schools, hospitals and crime – childcare needs the recognition it deserves.

“The link between investing in childcare and making progress on a range of key policy commitments including the reduction of child poverty; supporting parenting; promoting employment; improving health; raising educational attainment and strengthening communities have been proven time and time again. We know that further investment will benefit society on many levels.”

The Childcare Commission was set up in 2001 with key public policy objectives on the agenda – reducing child poverty, supporting parenting, promoting employment, improving health, raising education attainment and strengthening communities. It asserted the potential for high quality, affordable childcare and early years services to support families, improve children’s life chances and create a fairer and more equal society.

Read 'Realising the Childcare Revolution'

For more information contact lara.gorman@4Children.org.uk

 Back