YES: Anand Shukla, chief executive, Daycare Trust
Childcare provision is a vital part of our economic infrastructure. If childcare costs are too high, then parents on low and middle incomes will be less likely to be able to afford to stay in work, which reduces tax revenue and increases benefits payments.
In spring 2011, the Daycare Trust surveyed more than 4,000 parents to explore their views on childcare access and the impact of childcare costs on family incomes and work prospects. The majority of parents in severe poverty were no better off when in work and paying for childcare costs.
The success of the free entitlement in terms of take-up shows the high levels of parent demand for free childcare. Such childcare must be of high quality to ensure that it successfully enables child development.
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