LGA responds to Coram's Childcare Survey 2024

Responding to Coram's Childcare Survey 2024 which found that childcare costs have risen by 7 per cent, Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, said:

“The extended childcare scheme is a positive step towards helping parents with the high costs of childcare. 

“However, historic underfunding and wider council pressures have left local authority early years teams less prepared to support providers with the expansion, despite concerted effort. 

“As the proportion of childcare places delivered through government-funded entitlements goes up in April, councils need to be given the right levers and powers to manage local childcare markets and effectively lead local SEND systems.”