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Parents face childcare fees rise


Research revealed that sending a toddler to nursery in the country's most expensive areas can now cost more than private school fees.

A survey by the Daycare Trust found childcare costs have risen faster than inflation for the eighth year in a row.

The charity said the soaring charges were swallowing up a "
significant proportion"
of the income of families already hit hard by the recession and called on the Government to give parents more financial help to meet childcare costs.

The cost of a nursery place for a child aged over two in England increased by 5.1% last year - almost twice the rate of inflation, according to the report.

Meanwhile, childminders' fees rose by 6.4% for under-twos and 9.2% for older children.

A full-time nursery place for a child under two costs an average £176 per week - or £9,152 a year - a significant slice of average gross weekly earnings of £489.

This rises to £218 in London, but some nurseries are charging £425 a week, or £22,100 a year.

Alison Garnham, joint chief executive of the Daycare Trust, said: "
Families have been hit hard by the impact of the recession, with parents facing the strain of losing jobs, having their hours cut back, or facing pay cuts - all of which is compounded further by childcare costs shooting up."


The charity wants the Government to increase entitlement to free early years education from 15 to 20 hours a week.


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] At this rate of increase will it be worth parents going out to work [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Oddy

Quote. At this rate of increase will it be worth parents going out to work Cry3



Well a lot don't, and live off the state, sorry to say.

Perhaps they should talk to the Bulgarian people,where most families take their children to their grandparents to be looked after,that way they are not with strangers,grandma has the pleasure of her grandchildren,and the cost is zero,perhaps Bulgarian people can teach the brits a thing or two




Mike

Surely it would be cheaper and better for the family for one parent to be fulltime home carer....Back to basics gets my vote

I think your right Pavlova back to basics I think the uk government have lost the plot on this one like everything else

sarah