Availability of flexible childcare
New NCMA figures reveal gap in childcare-matching support
Parents working atypical hours face difficulties in finding
appropriate childcare, according to a research report from the
Daycare Trust - "Open all
hours - Flexible childcare in a 24/7 era".
New figures released today by NCMA show that the number of
registered childminders providing care outside regular hours has
increased, suggesting that local authorities are failing to provide
sufficient childcare-matching support for parents.
The new figures* show that:
- 90% of NCMA childminders can offer care before 8am
- More than half (51%) can provide care after 7pm
- More than a third (36%) can offer weekend care
- One in five (19%) can provide overnight care.
Susanna Dawson, Chair of NCMA, "It is extremely concerning that
parents working atypical hours continue to struggle to access
quality childcare because of a lack of information and support for
childcare matching services.
"New NCMA figures show that the majority of registered
childminders offer care for children outside the usual 8am to 6pm
window, and they are all subject to the same rigorous Ofsted
inspections as nurseries.
"Local authorities must act swiftly on the report’s
recommendations to increase support for childminding networks in
order to help these parents to retain their jobs, particularly lone
parents and those on low incomes."
*Figures quoted from NCMA’s Annual Membership Survey
Page last updated:
3/21/2011