Only a third of English councils are reporting sufficient childcare for parents working full-time, a new survey has revealed.
Ahead of the childcare expansion roll-out next month, local authorities have raised concerns over the delivery of the policy and availability of places.
A survey of 184 councils by childcare specialists Coram found that only 34% of English councils said they had sufficient childcare for parents working full-time — a 14% decrease on 2023.
The survey also found that just over one in three (35%) reported enough childcare for children under two, down by 14 percentage points on last year.
Ellen Broomé, managing director of Coram Family and Childcare, said: ‘The new childcare support that is being rolled out from April has the potential to be a game-changer for parents up and down the country – many of whom have found themselves facing high childcare bills and sometimes even locked out of work because of childcare costs.
'Our findings – with higher costs and dramatic drops in availability of childcare places – are concerning at this crucial time, showing the scale of challenge and the very real risks around this policy not living up to parents’ expectations.
‘Unless this policy is properly funded and supported, it could have the opposite effect, with families unable to access or afford the childcare they need and the most disadvantaged children set to miss out on this vital boost to their outcomes.’
