Providers are being “too rigid” in their processes involving arranging this form of childcare, which is preventing parents from accessing sessions.
Meanwhile, providers are struggling to find staff who are willing to work flexible hours both in the morning and from 3.30pm to 6pm, the research found.
“Parents reported that wraparound providing was not always flexible enough to reflect their working lives,” found the research published by Coram Family and Childcare.
This includes providers asking parents to book sessions far in advance and with only limited hours before and after school.
Single parents and families where parents face long commutes to work are among those reporting difficulty finding wraparound childcare to fit their needs.
Families with children with special educational needs and disabilities are also among those being hardest hit.
One told Coram that “parents with children with additional needs are excluded from wraparound childcare”.
In addition, Coram is concerned that the government’s focus on term-time only wraparound childcare is a “missed opportunity” in helping parents work.
Without holiday childcare factored in, the government’s current childcare strategy is “unlikely to achieve its aim of supporting parents to work”, said Coram.
In his 2023 spring budget Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt announced additional funding to support councils to expand wraparound childcare for all primary aged school children.
Local authorities are struggling with the delivery of wraparound childcare amid significant funding challenges, and in recruiting staff.
— Coram Family and Childcare (@CoramFamChild) January 18, 2024
Our new report, commissioned by @LGAcomms, explores current provision of wraparound childcare: https://t.co/0sHW4dypck#WeAreCoram pic.twitter.com/E8zYFk5Riy
“We know that wraparound childcare is vital for giving parents greater flexibility to work and providing important opportunities for children to learn, develop and have fun outside of school,” said head of Coram Family and Childcare Ellen Broomé.
But this form of childcare provision has lacked “adequate funding or policy recognition”, she added.
Louise Gittins, children and young people board chair at the Local Government Association, which commissioned the research, said Coram’s findings highlight “the challenges facing local authorities, parents and providers in meeting existing and expected demand as part of the wraparound expansion”.
“Local authorities work hard to ensure that this is a success and want to continue to work closely with central government to make improvements to the programme.
“However, they are under significant pressures and are having to target their teams in areas that need immediate focus, meaning some local areas have not been able to prioritise wraparound care.”
