Like everything else, the cost of childcare has increased massively, making some parents fear it’s not worth them working any more. A new analysis by Labour has found the cost of after-school clubs for primary-age children has risen by more than £800 a year since 2010, increasing 1.5 times faster than other items, such as food and clothing, and meaning the average family is now spending more on after-school clubs than on their weekly food shop.
According to Coram Family and Childcare, which works to make sure children have access to high-quality childcare, the huge rise in the average cost of childcare in the UK means a part-time nursery place (25 hours) for a child under two now costs 4% more than a year ago. For a child aged two, it costs 5% more.
The charity’s head, Megan Jarvie, said: “A lot of parents, particularly mothers, find it’s not worth them working – it’s too expensive and stressful. There’s not really an easy answer to this – the costs are really high and families do really struggle. The key thing families can do is to get as much information as possible about what’s out there.”
