The steep increase in the cost of living and the devastating impact of the pandemic means Britain’s parents are struggling even more with rising childcare costs and a sharp drop in the availability of places.Coram Family and Childcare is calling for the maximum amount of childcare costs paid under Universal Credit to be increased along with support for upfront costs, extended eligibility of the 30 hours provision and for the early years premium to be doubled to boost outcomes for the most disadvantaged children.
Coram Family and Childcare’s 21st annual Childcare Survey – the country’s most comprehensive annual survey of childcare costs – published today, finds that parents are now paying 2.5% more for childcare for children under two; 2% more for children aged two; and 3.5% more for 3–4-year-olds than they were a year ago.
Childcare availability has fallen sharply as the sector grapples with ongoing uncertainty and disruption. Only 57% of local authorities now report having enough childcare places available for children under 2, down from 72% in 2021, and only 59% report having enough childcare available for parents working full time, down from 68% last year, – limiting many parents’ ability to work.
