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Daycare Trust call for guarantee to protect free nursery places for 3 &4 year olds
26 April 2010
Daycare Trust, the national childcare charity has called for an assurance from politicians that the free entitlement of 12.5 hours childcare a week that all 3 &4 year olds receive will be protected - and that nurseries will not be allowed to charge supplementary top-up fees.
Over 1 million children across the UK currently benefit from the free entitlement, with over 90% of 3 & 4 year olds taking up their places.
Daycare Trust's recent survey ‘Keeping Mum: Childcare as a vote winning issue', found that 69% of 2,500 mothers questioned would be deterred from voting for a party that planned to reduce or remove the free entitlement. The issue topped the poll as the childcare policy mothers were most concerned to protect.
Alison Garnham, Chief Executive of Daycare Trust said:
"Any attack on the free entitlement will be a huge blow to parents throughout the country who feel crippled by the cost of childcare. It is already common practice for many PVI providers to charge top-up fees and we have been comforted by the introduction of the code of practice to stop this. If the code is removed, providers will be given carte blanche to charge extra, and the value of these free places will be lost.
The free entitlement plays a vital role in improving child outcomes - this must continue, and the needs of children and families should come before the needs of the childcare industry.
It is vital for both children and parents that this policy is protected. Not only does it help to ensure children get the best start in life, it is also a key tool in helping many unemployed parents get back to work. In the current economic climate it is more important than ever that the free entitlement remains in place.
This has been a landmark policy, and is an excellent example of the kind of family support from government that parents really value.
Daycare Trust's recent survey of 2,500 mothers on childcare policies and their voting intentions showed that the free entitlement was the issue that mattered most to them. With this in mind, we urge politicians to listen to parents - and assure them that their free childcare provision will be protected.
NOTES TO EDITORS
- At present, every 3 & 4 year old receives a guaranteed 12.5 hours a week. This was due to increase to 15 hours in September. The code of practice which has been in place since 2006 prevents providers being allowed to charge extra fees for this.
- Daycare Trust's 2010 Childcare Costs Survey, published in February 2010 found that the cost of a part time nursery place for a child of 2 and over has risen by 5.1% in the last year - almost twice the rate of inflation. The average cost of a part time palace now stands at £97 a week in London and the South East.
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 on 0845 872 6251, open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10.00am-1.00pm and 2.00pm-5.00pm, Wed 2.00pm-5.00pm (only). Parents can also visit www.daycaretrust.org.uk and www.payingforchildcare.org.uk for information.
For further information, contact press office at Daycare Trust on 020 7940 7525 (out of hours 07796 886 648).
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