Disadvantaged families are failing to access childcare services
The most disadvantaged families in the UK are failing to receive childcare even when it is offered to them free, according to a government report.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families report “Families Experiencing Multiple Disadvantage: Their Use of and Views on Childcare Provision” found that only 60% of pre-school age children from the poorest families received some form of childcare, compared to a national average of 73% and a figure for children from more affluent backgrounds of 81%.
The report found that a major factor for thedifference is a lack of information about free childcare places, as many disadvantaged parents of three and four year olds were unaware of their entitlement to free hours.
According to the report another important factor is cost, as most childcare subsidies, such as tax credits, are linked with employment and are unavailable to the poorest families.
The government is being encouraged to consider giving free or more subsidised childcare places at the point of use rather than linking the benefits to employment.
The report concludes:
“Low levels of information about childcare and early years provision may contribute to the low level of take-up among disadvantaged families, and it is strongly associated with negative perceptions of the availability, quality and affordability of childcare in parents’ local area.”
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