You are here: News Response to the Conservatives' childcare plan
In response to the Conservatives' manifesto on early years and childcare, Lydia Hodges, Head of Coram Family and Childcare, said:
The Conservative party’s manifesto outlines its plan to continue the current childcare expansion, with the final phase providing 30 hours of funded childcare per week to children with eligible working parents, from the age of nine months until they start school. We welcomed this investment when it was announced in the Spring budget last year and are pleased to see the commitment continued.
Alongside investment, a workforce strategy is essential to address the current recruitment and retention crisis. Our Childcare Survey 2024 found a shortage of childcare places across the country, with the majority of local authorities telling us that recruiting and retaining the right staff was a key barrier to making enough places available.
With more children eligible for funded childcare, there is a risk of further decreases in provision for disabled children who are already most likely to miss out on early education, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Therefore we continue to call on all parties to ensure the needs of all families are included in their plans, to make sure every child gets the best start in life, regardless of their circumstances.
For more information, please contact Emma Lamberton, Communications Manager, Coram at emma.lamberton@coram.org.uk / 0207 520 0427 / 07908 827908. For our latest research on childcare availability, costs and barriers to successful delivery of the expansion of funded childcare, see our Childcare Survey 2024.
About Coram Family and Childcare
Coram Family and Childcare works to make the UK a better place for families by bringing together what we learn from our on the ground parent-led programmes and our research to campaign for solutions that parents want and need. We focus on childcare and early years to make a difference to families’ lives now and in the long term.
Families award Government a ‘C’ grade for being family friendly, with squeeze on budgets holding back top marks
New research shows that families would award the Government a grade ‘C’ for being family...
New research shows childcare triple whammy for London's working parents
London parents who work outside normal office hours face an almost impossible struggle to find...
Investing in flexible childcare
The Family and Childcare Trust launches its new campaign, Investing in Flexible Childcare
“I just want to be grandma - but I can’t”. Charities mark Grandparents Day by calling for new volunteers across the North East
The UK charities behind a kinship carers project in the North East of England are marking...
Out of school, out of mind?
The report we published today shows that for many parents with school age children, the...