We've launched the largest childcare survey across the UK to learn how rising costs are affecting families in the UK.
Fill out our survey and tell us what impact the rising cost of childcare is having on your family.
Tuesday 10 May 2011
The cost of childcare accounts for 28% of the average income for a two-earner household in the UK, putting it among the highest in the world, according to new research by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Save the Children and Daycare Trust have launched the biggest survey of parents across the UK.
We want to know what impact the rising cost of childcare is having on families – from forcing them to cut back on household essentials, to making it difficult for parents to find or keep jobs – especially the poorest.
The true cost of childcare
It costs an average of £177 per week for a full-time nursery position for a child under two in the UK. For families living in severe poverty, with an annual income below £12,000 (£230 a week), it can be impossible to find a job that brings in enough money to cover the childcare bill, as well as their living costs.
“Childcare is so expensive it’s becoming a luxury that only families earning a very good wage can comfortably afford," says Sally Copley, Save the Children's Head of UK Policy. “Families on low incomes simply won’t earn enough to cover their childcare bill as well as living costs – effectively pricing the poorest families out of work.”
The recent reduction in the amount of childcare costs covered by Working Tax Credits, from a maximum of 80% to 70%, leaves many families on low incomes with an extra £546 a year added to their childcare bill.
Make your voice heard
The survey is being sent out to 70,000 parents throughout the UK and the findings will be used to show the government how high costs are hitting families – particularly the poorest.
Take the survey now and help us tell the government what families really need.
Get debating on Facebook and Twitter or join the discussion on mumsnet.
Childcare providers keen to distribute the survey can direct people to take it online, or order postal copies (which can be returned by freepost) by contacting c.lever@savethechildren.org.uk.