At the Family and Childcare Trust we have long been concerned about the state of childcare in the capital. In 2012 we published our first survey of childcare in London. This report drew attention to the high costs of childcare in the capital and significant gaps in provision. The 2012 London Childcare Report also highlighted some of the distinctive features about London's economy and its population that impact on childcare needs. In particular, the report drew attention to the absence of formal and informal childcare for parents who are required to work outside normal office hours. The 2012 London Childcare Report helped us make the case for childcare reform in London and to businesses, local authorities, the Mayor, the London Assembly as well as central Government. There have been a number of childcare policy initiatives since 2012, which include the introduction of free part-time early education for the most deprived two year olds and changes to local authority duties to assess childcare supply and demand. We are now updating our London report to map the changes in childcare provision since 2012. In particular we want to examine: 1) How childcare costs have changed since 2012 and how this affects families. 2) What progress has been made in filling gaps in childcare provision in London, particularly for parents with atypical work patterns and for older children. 3) Progress towards implementing the free early education offer for the poorest two year olds. 4) Progress towards making London workplaces more family friendly. 5) How future changes in childcare policy might impact on London families. In the 2012 report we outlined a number of recommendations for central government, the Mayor of London and local authorities. These focussed on improving childcare provision in five areas: affordability, filling gaps in provision, providing more childcare for parents with atypical work patterns, improving the quality of early education and supporting Family Information Services. The 2014 London Childcare Report reviews progress towards these goals. (author abstract)
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Reports & Papers
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United Kingdom;
England