Parents struggle to balance work and childcare with poorest families hit hardest

That’s according to new research from the Early Years Alliance

More than one in four parents are struggling to balance work and childcare due to difficulties accessing early years provision, a poll suggests.

Families in disadvantaged areas are most likely to say they feel unsupported by government policies, according to a report by the Early Years Alliance (EYA).

More than a third (36%) of parents in England said that they were having difficulties accessing childcare, the survey suggests.

The poll, of more than 3,000 parents of under-fives, suggests one in six (17%) said this had negatively impacted their mental health.

It found 27% struggle to balance work and childcare due to difficulties accessing provision, compared with 33% of parents in deprived areas.

The survey suggests 71% do not think the Government is doing enough to support parents to access affordable childcare, while 80% in the most deprived areas feel this way.

One parent said: “I have episodes of stress and anxiety as I struggle to balance childcare needs with work and my marital relationship.

“Being less able to access informal care for prolonged periods has also put much more of a strain on us.”

Another parent said: “I’m on Universal Credit that requires I pay the childcare first and claim it back, which is ridiculous, because by the time I pay for food and rent there’s not even £150 left for the week.”

Published: 25/08/2021 by Radio NewsHub