More childcare help needed, says report

The Daycare Trust wants more support from the government to help parents meet the rising costs.

A typical nursery place for a child under two during 2004 is �134 a week - up from �128 a week in 2003 - a rise of nearly 5%, the charity said.

Parents in the South East pay more, with a typical nursery place in inner London now costing �168 a week.

Better provision

Parents are struggling to pay the increasing charges, with almost three quarters saying they have difficulty finding affordable childcare in their area, says the childcare charity.

It wants the government to expand help available under the Childcare Tax Credit and, in the long term, it wants "children's centres" to be built in every community around the UK.

Key figures Typical cost of a full-time nursery place for a child under two is �134 a week, almost �7,000 a year Typical cost of a full-time place with a childminder for a child under two is �120 a week Typical cost of an after school club is �34 for 15 hours a week

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Andrew Smith, will speak at a conference organised by the Daycare Trust and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) on Monday.

Big families

A report published at the weekend, commissioned by the two groups highlights problems experienced by large families.

It said many were trapped in a "life of low income and low expectations" due to a lack of affordable childcare.

Written by Bristol academic and childcare expert Professor Hilary Land, it said that half of all children from large families - with three or more children - live in poverty.

They are more likely to be poor than children from smaller families, with some minority ethnic groups are particularly affected.

Investment in the early years is an investment in the future of our country Stephen Burke, Daycare Trust

Government measures to help parents with childcare costs take no account of the extra costs of three or more children, it said.

The report also blames the UK's obsession with long hours for rewarding those most able to spend more time at work, and says the government proper enforcement of the Working Time Directive would start to challenge this country's long hours culture.

Stephen Burke, Director of Daycare Trust, said: "Parents in Britain already pay the highest childcare bills in Europe. They tell us they cannot afford to pay any more.

"The government needs to help all families access quality affordable childcare near where they live. Investment in the early years is an investment in the future of our country."