Parents face a postcode lottery for childcare, with more than 60% of local authorities failing to provide enough services for five to 11 year olds, new research is warning.
The analysis by the Family and Childcare Trust found that many areas of the country are ‘virtual childcare deserts’, with the West Midlands, East Anglia and the Home Counties some of the worst areas for working parents.
Out of school, out of mind, which analysed all local authority Childcare Sufficiency Assessments, found adequate childcare provision was missing at the beginning and end of the school day, leading to 40% of parents finding it difficult or very difficult to find childcare for their school age children.
Anand Shukla, chief executive of the Family and Childcare Trust, said: ‘For many working parents hoping that their childcare struggle ends when their children start school, this damning research shows that unfortunately the opposite is true. Far too many parents face a never ending battle to secure affordable, quality childcare just so that they can go to work to provide for their families.
‘The system needs a complete overhaul, but in the meantime local authorities must, with the support of government, implement action plans to tackle the severe lack of childcare for school age children.’
The data shows that 28% of local authorities did not have sufficient childcare for five to 11 year olds, with 32.5% having no idea if they have sufficient provision. Fewer than 40% reported that they have sufficient childcare for this group.
