Nearly two in three local authorities in London do not have enough childcare to meet the demand from parents of school-age children, new research has revealed.
The report, published by Coram Family and Childcare and supported by Trust for London, found the cost of childcare for 5-11 year olds has risen by a third in the last decade.
It also found huge variations in the availability of breakfast and after school clubs between London boroughs. Children with special educational needs or a disability are even less likely to be able to access reliable childcare, according to the report.
Megan Jarvie, head of Coram Family and Childcare, said: ‘London parents who want or need to go out to work are struggling to find or afford the childcare they need. High costs, inadequate financial support and patchy availability of childcare act as a toxic combination for working parents.
’We need central, regional and local government to work together to implement solutions that support families.’
The report concludes that some parents - especially those claiming Universal Credit - see little or no financial gain from working more hours due to the high cost of childcare.
Coram Family and Childcare is calling for the Government to switch to upfront payment for Universal Credit and raise the childcare funding provided by Universal Credit to 100% of costs.
