You are here: News Family and Childcare Trust urges next government to make childcare work for families

21st April 2017
By Mark Bou Mansour

The Family and Childcare Trust is calling on all political parties to set out an ambitious childcare strategy fit for the 21st century that tackles gender inequality and boosts social mobility.

The charity has set out five targets the next government must secure in order to make childcare fit for the road ahead for Britain:

  • Make sure that every parent is better off working once they have paid for childcare
  • Put early education on par with school education, making an early education place a legal entitlement
  • Extend 15 hours of free childcare per week to all 2 year olds
  • Make sure there is enough high quality childcare for every family that needs it, including school age children
  • Make sure that no child with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) is refused a childcare place

Commenting on the decision to hold a general election, Julia Margo, Joint Chief Executive at the Family and Childcare Trust, said:

“This is the moment for all political parties to step up for parents and children.

“Childcare has come a long way over the last two decades. There is universal agreement that high quality childcare is critical to our country’s future success, however, childcare remains a postcode lottery. For many families, it’s too expensive and there isn’t enough of it, which means parents are shut out of work and our economic progress stalls.

“Political parties now need to set out their plans to make sure every parent is better off in work after they’ve paid for childcare and every child can access this crucial chance to boost their social mobility.”

-ENDS-

Full briefing

Con​tact: Mark Bou Mansour, 020 7940 7535 or 07538 334 772, mark@familyandchildcaretrust.org.

 

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.

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