Alliance slams government inaction as new research shows three-quarters of mothers say rising early years costs means it no longer makes financial sense for them to work
The Early Years Alliance has issued a comment following research released by Pregnant Then Screwed which shows that three in four mothers who pay for their child to attend an early years setting, said it no longer makes financial sense for them to work.
The report also revealed that, for one in five parents, early years costs amount to more than half of their household income.
Commenting, Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, said:
鈥淚t is simply unacceptable that soaring early years costs, driven by years of government underfunding, have not only made it impossible for so many parents to return to work, but have also forced many families turn to extreme measures, such as falling into debt, just to cover costs.
鈥淵ear after year, funding for the so-called 鈥榝ree childcare鈥 offers has failed to keep up with surging costs, leaving nurseries, pre-schools and childminders with no option but to increase fees to stay afloat.
鈥淭he simple fact is that if the sector was properly funded, families would not have to sacrifice their careers to reduce early years costs, and thousands of providers would not be forced to choose between sharp increases in prices during a cost-of-living crisis, or closing completely.
"Survey after survey and study after study has shown that the current situation is completely unsustainable 鈥 and yet the government has wasted every opportunity it has had to deal with this spiralling situation and put in place the funding early years providers need to remain sustainable.
鈥淭he sector has reached breaking point. It is vital, therefore the government commits to adequate long-term funding for the early years in this month鈥檚 Spring Budget. Anything less will not only seal the fate of the sector, but will also make it even more challenging for families to access the high-quality and affordable care and education they need.鈥