You are here: News Nurseries in Wales see higher prices rises than anywhere else in Britain, new research shows
Working parents in Wales saw eye-watering childcare price rises in the country’s nurseries, bucking the trend across Britain which saw prices rise largely in line with inflation over the last year.
The Family and Childcare Trust’s annual Childcare Survey – sponsored by Computershare Voucher Services and Community Playthings - reveals that nursery prices in Wales rose to an average of £110.16 a week for part-time childcare for children under two years old, and £104.06 for the over-twos, year-on-year increases of 5.6 and 5.4 per cent respectively. Since 2011, nursery prices have seen a 21 per cent increase in the country.
Parents and decision makers can take some comfort in that childcare availability in Wales has improved, with 40 per cent of Welsh local authorities now reporting they have enough childcare for working parents, up from 18 per cent in 2015. But there have been no improvements for parents who live in rural areas with not a single local authority reporting enough childcare for this group, and only three Welsh councils reporting that all primary schools in their area were served by an after-school club.
Julia Margo, chief executive at the Family and Childcare Trust said:
“While parents in other parts of Britain will breathe a sigh of relief that childcare costs have remained largely in line with inflation, prices in Wales continue to make an ever increasing dent in the family budget. “All parties in Wales must commit to improving the situation for families, otherwise childcare costs will remain a barrier to work for far too many Welsh families and children will continue to miss out on vital early education.”
Julian Foster, Managing Director at Computershare Voucher Services, who sponsor the annual childcare survey, said:
“Childcare represents a huge expense for households across Wales. When childcare provision is both effective and affordable, we create happier households, empower parents to work and provide better opportunities for children as they grow up. “It is crucial that the industry, third sector and government work together to ensure that good childcare is available to families across the country.”
The Family and Childcare Trust is continuing to call for an end to short-termism and piecemeal childcare policy, and urges the UK Government to start a comprehensive review of the childcare system so that it supports all working parents and delivers for employers and the economy.
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Contact: Mark Bou Mansour, Communications and Campaigns Manager. Telephone: 0207 940 7535, mobile: 07538 334 772, email: mark@familyandchildcaretrust.org.
Notes to Editor:
- In Wales, funding for the expanded 30 hours of free childcare for three and four year olds –is channeled to the Welsh Government through the Barnett formula. Just last week, the Welsh Labour party decided that it will offer 30 hours over 48 weeks if it returns to power, a move that would mean Welsh getting 300 more hours of free childcare a year than parents in England.
- Although more Welsh local authorities report they have enough childcare for parents who work full time than last year, 60 per cent still do not have enough childcare for this group, despite the legal obligation of the Childcare Act 2006 to make sure there is enough childcare for working parents and those undertaking training.
- In Wales, free early education for two, three and four year olds is usually offered over days in three hour blocks, making it very difficult for working parents.
- The annual Childcare Survey plus childcare profiles for each parliamentary constituency in Britain will be available online from 00.01hrs GMT Wednesday 24 February at http://www.familyandchildcaretrust.org/childcare-survey-2016
- The annual Childcare Survey is sponsored by Computershare Voucher Services and Community Playthings.
Methodology:
- The Family and Childcare Trust sent a survey to all local authority Family Information Services in England and Wales, and Children’s Information Services, their equivalent in Scotland.
- Local authorities were asked to provide average prices for 25 and 50 hours of childcare provided by nurseries and childminders, average prices for 15 hours of childcare in an after-school club, and prices charged by childminders who pick up children from school.
- We also asked whether local authorities had enough childcare for working parents, for parents with a disabled child, for parents who work atypical hours, and for specific age groups of children.
- We received responses from 197 of 206 local authorities, giving an overall response rate of 96 per cent and a minimum response rate of 90 per cent in all regions and nations of Britain. In Wales, all local authorities responded.
About the Family and Childcare Trust
The Family and Childcare Trust aims to make the UK a better place for families. We are a leading national family charity in the field of policy, research and advocacy on childcare and family issues, with over 40 years’ experience. Our on-the-ground work with parents and providers informs our research and campaigns. We focus on the early years and childcare because they are crucial to boosting children’s outcomes throughout life and supporting parents to work.
About Computershare Voucher Services
Computershare Voucher Services (CVS) is the UK’s largest dedicated childcare voucher provider, responsible for the administration, management and development of childcare vouchers, an employee benefit available to all eligible working parents. CVS currently works with over 140,000 working parents, more than 15,000 organisations and over 125,000 carers each month. CVS has vast experience of the childcare vouchers industry, reinforced by significant technology enhancements which benefit its diverse customer base, spanning every sector, from some of the UK’s largest corporations to SMEs.
CVS is a founding member of the Childcare Voucher Providers Association (CVPA) which represents childcare voucher providers and sets the benchmark for standards in the industry through its Code of Practice, to ensure carers, parents and employers receive the highest standard of service from childcare voucher providers.
For more information visit: www.computersharevoucherservices.com
About Community Playthings
With a fifty-five year history in manufacturing, Community Playthings produces attractive, durable, wooden furniture and play equipment. Their child-friendly designs support children’s creativity, learning, and play in schools and nurseries across the private, voluntary and public sectors.
For more information, visit www.communityplaythings.co.uk