Local authority leaders have called for a review of who is entitled to free childcare after a survey revealed that disadvantaged children were being ‘priced out’ of nursery places.
Coram Family and Childcare’s annual survey, the first published since the roll-out of new childcare entitlements last April, found that childcare costs were down for working parents of children under three in England.
A part-time nursery place for a child under two now costs an average of £70.51 per week, down by 56% on 2024, and a full-time nursery place for a child under two costs an average of £238.95 per week, down by 22% on 2024.
However, the survey found that families who are not in work or do not earn enough to be eligible for free childcare support pay £105 per week more than eligible families for a part-time nursery place for a child under two.
The report also found gaps in availability for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Only 29% of councils in England who responded to the survey said they had enough childcare for at least 75% of children with SEND in their area, while just 22% report having enough childcare for at least 75% of children in their area whose parents work atypical hours.
Commenting on the survey, Cllr Arooj Shah, chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, said the free hours childcare scheme was ‘crucial’ for helping parents but added it was ‘worrying’ if parents were not able to access entitlements.
‘There should be a review of who is entitled to free hours, ensuring those on lower incomes do not miss out on this vital support,’ she said.
‘At the very least, we think the entitlements should be extended to parents and carers who are studying and/or in training, and foster carers and kinship carers, regardless of work or training status.’
Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, said: ‘This survey highlights the real difference the expanded childcare entitlements are making, with much more to come from September as government funding increases from 15 to 30 hours a week of funded childcare.’
