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Childcare and the recession

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: DAYCARE TRUST PRESS OFFICE, 020 7840 3350, OUT OF HOURS 07736 311 082

Daycare Trust have published the third briefing paper in the ‘Policy insight' series.

Childcare is a huge success story for this Government with 2.8 million families using formal childcare, and 86% of three and four year olds taking up the free childcare entitlement. But what effect is the recession having on childcare and what will happen to childcare market if the unemployment continues to increase over the coming months?

Is accessible, affordable high quality childcare really under threat? This briefing paper examines the current pressure points in the childcare market, looks at what different

voices in the sector are saying and identifies possible issues providers and parents may face in the future, suggesting practical policy solutions to build resilience and sustainability in the market.

‘Childcare and the recession' contains sections on:

• The childcare market;
• Parental debt;
• Childcare subsidies;
• Local Authorities: The market manager;
• Informal childcare;
• The childcare workforce;
• Employer supported childcare.

The paper contains a raft of recommendations for central and local government including:

• Increasing the free childcare entitlement to 20 hours per week for all children aged 2-4;
• Increasing the ‘run-on period' for the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit when recipients lose their job from four to twelve weeks;
• A central fund for local authorities to draw on to protect local childcare places that are at risk;
• Specially trained taskforces of caseworkers at local authority level to step in and give parents direct assistance if they lose their childcare place;
• Recruit more men to work in childcare;
• An information campaign targeted at businesses explaining how to administer childcare vouchers.

Ends.

NOTES TO EDITORS

• A summary of the full report is available on the new Daycare Trust website www.daycaretrust.org.uk/pages/policy-papers-.html
• A PDF of the full report is available free of charge to media outlets on request.
• The full report is available for purchase for £10 by contacting publications@daycaretrust.org.uk or 020 7840 3350.
• Daycare Trust joint Chief Executives Emma Knights and Alison Garnham are available for comment.

Daycare Trust is the national childcare charity, campaigning for quality affordable accessible childcare for all and raising the voices of children, parents and carers.  We advise parents and carers, providers, employers, trade unions and policymakers on childcare issues.  We recognise that everyone is unique and we value difference in our communities.  We listen to all views and are committed to act without prejudice. 

Daycare Trust runs an Information Line for parents (08458 726 251) open Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri 10.00am-1.00pm & 2.00pm-5.00pm, Wed 2.00pm-5.00pm (only) . Parents can also visit www.daycaretrust.org.uk and www.payingforchildcare.org.uk information.

Daycare Trust is a member of the Campaign to End Child Poverty, www.ecpc.org.uk.

For further information, contact press office at Daycare Trust on 020 7840 3350, ext 217 (out of hours 07736 311 082).

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