New data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published in collaboration with Ofsted has painted a varied picture for parents looking to access childcare across the UK. The analysis found, on the whole, that affluent areas had the highest levels of childcare access, while poorer areas of the UK had lower levels of access to childcare.

The study also found that areas with lower levels of access to childcare were linked to a higher proportion of children living in poverty. For example, in Walsall (where one in three children live in deprivation) there were just 12 accessible childcare places per 100 children. Similarly, in Sunderland – which was found to have more than one in three children living in poverty – there were only 14 accessible childcare places per 100 children. In contrast, Cambridge, which has a higher-than-average gross disposable household income per family, had 42 childcare places per 100 children.

The divide is affected by education, too. The ONS found that areas with higher childcare access were more likely to have women with higher levels of qualification.

The report did not take the affordability of childcare into account, but with the National Childbirth Trust finding that part-time nursery care now costs over £7,000 a year, it’s clear that accessible and affordable childcare remains a huge issue in the UK. And, with more deprived areas having less accessibility in the first place, it’s clear the divide will only become greater between lower- and higher-income families if nothing changes. Commenting on the ONS research, Paul Nowak, the TUC general secretary, said: “Childcare is a key part of our economic infrastructure. It’s how we support parents to work and contributes massively to closing the gender pay gap. Women shouldn’t have to give up or cut down paid work because they can’t find the right care for their children and every child should have access to good childcare and early education. We desperately need quality childcare for all families – regardless of where they live – so that all children can access early years education and all mums who want to work can do so.”

Unsurprisingly, organisations from charities to campaign groups are calling on all political parties to prioritise childcare as part of their manifestos ahead of the general election. “As the country prepares to go to the polls, childcare is likely to be a top concern for voters at this election,” said Rachel Statham, associate director at the Institute for Public Policy Research. “Parents and grandparents want to see more funding for nurseries to prevent closures and train staff over and above further expansion of free childcare hours – suggesting they want to see a serious plan to stabilise the sector and boost quality. Whichever party offers a credible plan for childcare may well stand to win over a crucial constituency of swing voters come July.” 

Images: Getty