YES - Rosemary Murphy, chief executive of the National Day Nurseries Association
The problem is flexibility. If parents' circumstances change, it can take months for the system to catch up. If money was paid directly to the provider, it would prevent this. The Government's argument is that parents should have the freedom to choose. But it always impacts on the provider when the parent doesn't make the wisest decision. What I see is not fraud, but mismanagement. People get into situations where they are in trouble and don't face up to it.
YES - Vidhya Alakeson, research fellow, Social Market Foundation
Parents still contribute 30 per cent of the cost of childcare, so for low-income families that's a considerable outlay. The system creates a lot of uncertainty around funding and, particularly in disadvantaged areas, it doesn't bridge the gap between the cost of providing services in a sustainable way and what providers expect to get.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
