Thank you very much to the many local parents and guardians who took the time to fill in my Childcare Survey.
The results showed that:
91% reported experiencing difficulties in accessing childcare.
95% said that we do not have enough childcare infrastructure, such as nurseries.
75% said that cost has been an issue in accessing childcare.
66% said the cost of childcare had impacted their ability to work.
This clearly shows again that we need more infrastructure to keep pace with our growing population, as I consistently campaign for. I raised this with the Children's Minister on her recent visit to Didcot, and have now shared these findings and the thoughts of local people with the Department for Education.
I was pleased that 95% of people support the Government’s plan to expand free childcare to 30 hours every week for working parents of all children under 5 years old by 2025 – which will have a major impact for those worried about cost and is the largest ever investment in childcare.
