Parents face eye-watering costs for childcare in the UK. A part-time nursery place for a child under two sets parents in Britain back, on average, £7,134 a year.
The government has put plans in place for increased childcare funding for the children of working parents: 30 free childcare hours for children aged over nine months, to be rolled out by 2025.
But there will still be a price for parents. Nurseries may charge for costs in addition to the government’s funded hours. And 30 hours does not nearly cover the time a parent working full-time will need care for their child.
Education or care?
Education is seen as the responsibility of the state. Free education is a universal benefit for all children of a certain age. Parents are unlikely to provide this kind of education by themselves.