Childcare report slams ‘broken system’ in London

A major report from a charity today called for an overhaul of London’s “broken childcare system”.

The study found that parents working outside office hours face an almost impossible task as 29 out of the 33 boroughs failed to provide enough childcare for those with atypical shifts. Twenty-three local authorities do not have enough provision during normal hours for two-year-old children who qualify for free early education.

The report also that found that 15 councils did not have enough childcare for disabled children, and a further eight did not know whether they did or not.

The Family and Childcare Trust, which published the report, called for a legal requirement for every youngster to be given a childcare place.

Trust chief executive Anand Shukla said that the “big gaps in provision, lack of flexibility and exorbitant costs represent a big barrier to employment for far too many people in our capital”.

The report revealed a 13 per cent decline over two years in London childminders who often provide flexible care. A spokesman for London Councils said: “This report is a wake-up call for central government to ensure its funding reflects the significantly higher costs of childcare in the capital.

“More than 13,000 new places for two year olds have been created in the capital in the last two years but councils are not complacent.”