Early Years Alliance comments on MoneySupermarket parent survey showing parents want more support with childcare
The Early Years Alliance has responded to the results of a survey of parents with children aged 14 and under by MoneySupermarket, which found that:
- Seven in 10 British parents don’t think the government does enough to make childcare more affordable
- Over two thirds (69%) of parents rely on family and friends as an alternative to paying for childcare
- Close to half (45%) of parents deterred from having another child due to childcare costs
- Parents are spending £7,207 on average per year on childcare costs - 28% of the average wage
Commenting, Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, said:
"The current childcare model in this country is totally unsustainable for both parents and businesses and as such, these survey findings come as no surprise.
"Parents regularly have to pay out large sums of money and rely on friends and family to fill the gap between what is provided and what they need to work and live, while those working in early education settings or delivering school-age wraparound services often struggle to remain financially sustainable without pricing parents out of the quality care they rely on.
"Parents are right to expect more, and it's up to the government to deliver it: that’s one reason why we are calling on ministers to carry out a wholesale review of the childcare and early education system - to ensure it is sustainable in the long term for both providers and the families who rely on it."