A universal childcare guarantee for children up until the end of primary school, would create an extra £13 billion for the economy and boost parents’ wages, according to a new report by the IPPR and Save the Children.
Investing in more childcare provision in England would also create an estimated 130,000 extra jobs in the early years sector, according to the research.
Recommendations include:
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making 30-hour childcare universal for three- and four-year-olds and on a higher hourly rate
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universal two-year-old childcare for 15 hours on a higher hourly rate
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extend a universal 15-hour offer for twos to 30 hours
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expand three- and four-year-old offer from 38 weeks to 48 weeks a year
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extend wraparound childcare provision in schools from 8am to 6pm
