Commenting on a report on the rollout
of free childcare hours published by the National Audit Office
(NAO) today (Wednesday), which shows “challenges and
uncertainties” in the rollout of free childcare hours, TUC
General Secretary Paul
Nowak said:
“The Tories promised working parents
that they would provide more free hours for children aged 2 and
over from this month, a further expansion for 2 year olds in
September, and a full rollout for all children aged over 9 months
in September 2025.
“But today's report shows that the
policy was botched – and has left the sector unable to cope with
this poorly planned expansion. Childcare places are falling
leaving parents scrambling.
“Ministers should have addressed the
staff recruitment and retention issues in childcare well in
advance of this rollout. Caring is skilled work and the –
predominantly female – workforce deserves decent pay and
conditions.
“The Tories have broken their promise
to parents and let down working people – yet
again.”
TUC analysis published in August found
every English region was struggling to recruit childcare
workers.
Nearly all (95%) of English councils
who responded to a Coram survey said that childcare providers in
their area were having difficulty recruiting childcare workers –
and eight in 10 (80%) local authorities described it as “very
difficult”.
