The childcare system is in crisis. Drastic spikes in care costs for children under three, along with rising cost of living bills and stagnant wages, have forced many parents to rethink their return to work.
“I feel like giving up work every single day when all your wages go on bills it does not seem worth it,” said Charlotte Croft from Lincoln.A tax free childcare option is currently the only financial help available from the government for working parents of children under three.a year in the UK .“I have to pay £1,053 a month for four days of nursery. It’s so expensive!” said Charlotte. “I get £200 a month from the government to help but it’s still a lot.
Another mum from Lincoln said: “It cost us £750 a month for three days a week for our 20-month-old until he was three. Even with 30 hours free childcare when he turned three, it costs £350 a month for three days a week due to needing out of hours 8-5, meals and it being non-term time only. It will also potentially change the eligibility for the free 30 hour scheme. Currently parents can apply for children aged three and above, but this could now also include one and two-year-olds.
Critics also say that while the expansion of the ‘free’ childcare offer in the budget will be welcomed by many parents, it must also be joined by significant financial investment. “The 30 hours ‘free’ scheme does not currently work for providers as it is knowingly underfunded by the Government. Providers must make up this shortfall by charging more for younger children.
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