Public support for more subsidised childcare

Most people believe childcare should be available to all
toddlers and their families, according to a MORI survey
commissioned by childcare charity the Daycare Trust. Four out of
five of those questioned said quality childcare should be on offer
from the age of one.

The survey also revealed significant support for government
subsidy. More than half of respondents (56 per cent)  said the
government should shoulder a larger proportion of the costs. A
quarter said employers should fund more help. 

Over half of the public (53 per cent) would be prepared to pay
an extra penny on income tax to fund affordable childcare for all
children. This rises to 63 per cent of parents with children under
16. Adults in the North are particularly supportive of the idea,
with 63 per cent prepared to pay an extra penny, compared with 52
per cent in the Midlands and 45 per cent in the South.

Only a quarter of parents say that affordability of childcare
has improved over the last three years. Just under three-quarters
of parents have heard of the childcare element of the Working Tax
Credit nationally, but in London only 56 per cent of parents are
aware of the help available to them with childcare costs.

Stephen Burke, Director of Daycare Trust, said the general
public clearly supports quality affordable childcare for all
children. “The next step is to develop a long-term strategy
and timetable for the funding and delivery of children’s
centres in every community by 2015.”