Locked out of Childcare

Our Locked out of Childcare report draws on responses from 1,000 parent carers raising disabled children. it shows that over a third (38%) of families who want more childcare can’t afford it, with 29% saying available childcare is unsuitable as it doesn’t not meet the needs of disabled children.

Key findings

• There is clear demand for paid childcare among families. Over 1 in 5 families (21%) would like more paid childcare than they currently receive.
• Access to suitable childcare could help more parent carers enter or increase employment. More than half (51%) of full-time carers who responded to our poll say they would work more if suitable childcare hours became available to them.
• Getting childcare right could improve family wellbeing and give parent carers a break from caring responsibilities. Parents describe how access to childcare that meets their child’s needs could reduce stress and help them spend time with other family members.
• Too many families continue to face barriers accessing childcare. Of those who would like more childcare, more than a third of families (38%) say childcare is too expensive, while 29% say there is a lack of suitable provision.

Without the right provision families will remain locked out of childcare which seriously limits parent carers’ opportunities for employment and financial security, their ability to get a break from caring and overall family health and wellbeing long term. 

“There are no breakfast/after school clubs that can accommodate my child, due to his needs. Any other childcare is expensive. If there was an available childcare provision it would be a major benefit.” 

Locked out of Childcare

As the UK Government and devolved governments look at expanding childcare support, there is an important opportunity to ensure disabled children and their families can fully benefit from childcare reform.

Our report shows that simply expanding childcare hours and places will not be enough. Improving access to inclusive childcare available throughout childhood, investing in the workforce, reducing financial barriers and improving accountability will be essential if childcare reform is to work for disabled children and their families.

“There is no childcare options available to us at all… no childcare provision would accept him as he would need full time one to one support and the cost was of that was massive” 

Recommendations

To ensure childcare works for disabled children and their families, Family Fund recommends the UK and devolved governments:

1. Co-produce childcare expansions with disabled children and their
   families.
2. Increase provision of childcare for disabled children and children with
   additional needs.
3. Invest in workforce recruitment, retention and specialist training so staff
   can support disabled children safely and confidently.
4. Improve access to affordable wraparound and holiday childcare for
   disabled children and their families, including subsidised support for
   low-income families.
5. Reduce upfront childcare costs and ensure childcare support reflects
   the additional costs faced by families raising disabled children.
6. Improve accountability and monitoring of childcare provision for
   children with additional needs.

How we support families

Family Fund helps families raising disabled and seriously ill children to build a better life by easing financial pressure, stress and isolation on. For more than 50 years, we’ve provided grants, information on, digital skills and opportunities for families to be heard. As the UK’s largest charity providing this kind of support, we work towards a society where every family has what they need to live well and thrive.