Research by Coram Family and Childcare

Childcare Survey 2024

In its 24th annual survey, Coram Family and Childcare reveals continued decrease in the availability of childcare in England, across all areas of provision. Ahead of the childcare expansion roll-out from April, councils raise concerns over delivery of the policy and availability of places.

Expansion of funded early education places – an update

Following the April 2024 expansion, we have again surveyed local authorities about the expansion to funded early education entitlements to find out how they are going and how confident they feel about the upcoming delivery of the remaining two phases.

Holiday Childcare Survey 2024

In its 19th annual survey, Coram Family and Childcare finds that holiday childcare costs have jumped by 6% since 2023. The average place at a holiday club now costs 2.5 times more than an after-school club during term time (£175 per week compared to £69). Families now face costs of £1,049 for six weeks of holiday childcare for each school age child - £635 more than they would pay for six weeks of after-school childcare during term time.

Insights into wraparound childcare

Insights into wraparound childcare, commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA), explores the views of key stakeholders, including parents, sector experts and local authorities, on current provision of wraparound childcare (before and after school childcare). The research follows the announcement in the Spring Budget in March 2023 of an investment of £289 million over two years from September 2024 to enable local authorities to support the expansion of wraparound childcare for all primary school aged children.

Webinar July 2023: Understanding the take-up of early education entitlements

Childcare Survey 2023

In its 23rd annual survey, Coram Family and Childcare finds that childcare costs continue to rise - this year up by 5.6 per cent for those aged under two to £148 per week for just a part time place.

Holiday Childcare Survey 2023

In its 18th annual Holiday Childcare Survey, Coram Family and Childcare finds that holiday childcare costs have risen by 3% since 2022. The average place at a holiday club now costs £157 per week, which is 2.3 times what parents pay for an after-school club during term time. Families will now find themselves £943 out of pocket for six weeks of holiday childcare, £538 more than they would pay for six weeks of after-school childcare during term time.

Tackling disadvantage through childcare

Childcare holds the power to tackle disadvantage by enabling parents to work and boosting children’s outcomes. But this opportunity is being missed and new government investment risks entrenching rather than changing an unequal system. We outline our proposal for a new childcare system that better meets families’ needs, particularly those facing disadvantage.

Childcare Survey 2023 event

Coram Family and Childcare ran an online event to discuss the findings of the Childcare Survey 2023 with a focus on access for disabled children and the risk and opportunities in the childcare announcements from the Spring Budget.

Holiday Childcare Survey 2022

In its 17th survey, Coram Family and Childcare finds that holiday childcare costs have jumped by 5% since 2021. The average place at a holiday club now costs £148 per week- more than double what parents pay for an after-school club during term time. Families will now find themselves £900 out of pocket for six weeks of holiday childcare.