Understanding Attitudes to Childcare and Childcare Language Among Low Income Parents, released by the Department for Children, Schools and Families last week, reveals a huge gulf between government discourse and the views of families.
The research found that most low-income parents have a negative view of formal childcare, as something for "career people" who don't have family help. It also highlights a high level of mistrust, particularly relating to childminders, because many parents are unsure of how they gain approval to look after other people's children.
Another concern is that government literature describing the educational benefits of childcare as "goals", "stages" and "targets" is alienating parents. As a result, parents believe staying at home with their children is a positive choice.
Another report released by the DCSF at the same time, Promoting Take-Up of Formal Childcare Among Low-Income Families, also points to a lack of accessible information for low-income parents regarding the various forms of formal childcare. It states: "What became apparent was that very detailed knowledge of what each option involved, where to find out about them and any financial help was often lacking." It went on to state that "major barriers were a perception that it might be complicated to sort out and, to a lesser extent, concerns about the quality of care".
Childcare consultant James Hempsall said the research shows that local authorities need to do more to ensure that the benefits of formal childcare are understood in hard-to-reach areas and that word of mouth spreads. "To raise those levels of awareness and trust, a sustained effort is required on a local level with the aim of everybody understanding what childcare is and what it isn't," said Hempsall.
Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of the National Day Nurseries Association, said: "Lower income parents have a diverse range of needs and face particular barriers when it comes to moving into work or training and starting to use childcare. These two reports have some useful findings and consideration needs to be given to how to take these forward."
