Do people think 30hrs free childcare is enough?
Is 30hrs free childcare enough for parents or do we need to look closer at how childcare should meet the demands of working families?
At current the 30hrs will be piloted in areas from September to support families, the question about how Government are going to fund this is at the top of childcare providers list of questions.
Many childcare providers would like to see a review in the funds and agreement to a funding review. For many families the introduction of the 30hrs free childcare has helped clear up worries over childcare costs, however, this offer looks great on paper but how will it be accessible to all when half of nurseries are considering not offering this. More importantly, childcare providers need to ensure children are receiving high-quality childcare.
To help with the cost of childcare many families working patterns vary some return full time, whereas others may adopt a flexible approach relying on grandparents to help. If childcare was more affordable then families would be able to spend more time with their children and be less anxious over money worries. For many families balancing childcare and work can over time have an impact on work, leading to parents having to change their working hours to help.
By finding out exactly what family’s need for childcare wouldn’t this be a better starting point for childcare provider rather than the government going ahead offering free entitlement schemes here and there. Many parents are having to work flexibly to help reduce their childcare cost but are still under pressure.
What can be done to help working parents but to also help nurseries provide that quality childcare that all children should be entitled to?