Figures out today (8 February) reveal soaring childcare costs andreinforce calls for a total revamp of the way childcare is funded, saycampaigners.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has criticisedthe Government for "poorly targeted" investment in childcareservices.
The Daycare Trust's annual survey shows typical childcare costs haverisen by 26 per cent in the past five years, outstripping inflation by20 per cent.
The trust wants more direct funding for childcare providers to relievethe burden on parents and is particularly concerned about "worklessfamilies" who cannot claim childcare benefits, said newly appointedDaycare Trust chair Rita Stringfellow.
"We want a review of the entire funding system for childcare for the2007 comprehensive spending review," she said.
With an announcement on Transformation Fund cash for local authoritiesexpected soon, she also expressed concern about focusing on graduateworkers: "We need investment across the board in people who are wellqualified, well trained and experienced."
In its report Children first: the power of choice in children'sservices, the CBI claimed heavily subsidised state childcare wasdamaging the viability of private and voluntary providers and reducingparental choice.
However, the DfES said: "Local authority funding should focus on areaswhere there is need, rather than creating new places that would putexisting provision at risk."
- www.daycaretrust.org.uk; www.cbi.org.uk.
