A lack of suitable childcare options is inflicting huge financial and emotional strain on vulnerable families, according to new research involving Durham academics.
The ‘Childcare should not be a luxury’ report is led by Health Equity North, Newcastle University and the University of Manchester.
Dr Xiaofei Qi, from our School of Education, and Dr Charmele Ayadurai, from our Business School, are co-authors.
Researchers interviewed parents and carers across North East England.
Those interviewed spoke about the sacrifices for their families, and feeling lonely, isolated and anxious when they struggled to access adequate childcare support.
Dr Qi contributed to the childcare provision and policy review. Dr Ayadurai worked on the impact of the cost of living crisis, and the alignment to child poverty.
It found that:
The report calls for childcare to be recognised as a vital part of national and regional economic infrastructure, necessary for the health and wellbeing of families and the development of the children themselves.
They are recommending:
Good childcare is often the difference between a child growing up in poverty or a family being able to live a fuller live and thrive. It can help children grow in confidence, and imagine a better future. We need to ensure that funding is more accessible for all, and that we consider the barriers that many face, particularly when trying to find employment.
Childcare plays a crucial role in supporting children’s development learning, and wellbeing. However, the challenges confronting childcare provision are significant: both families and childcare providers have been profoundly affected by the cost of living crisis. This report underscores the pressing need to address the escalating childcare cost crisis, which adversely impacts parents, childcare providers, and broader societal wellbeing.
This study has made it clear that it’s time to start focusing on parents with different set of resources namely income as they face very different options for the care of their young children. Childcare policies and programs should be better organised to support the dual roles of parents as providers and nurturers. This will reduce the stressors involved as parents can balance their efforts better to provide economically for their children while ensuring that their children are getting the nurturing they deserve for a strong start in life.
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/departments-/education/Books-Banner.jpg)