More about the study
The ’Childcare should not be a luxury’ report is led by Health Equity North, Newcastle University and the University of Manchester.Dr Xiaofei Qi, from our School of Education, and Dr Charmele Ayadurai, from our Business School, are co-authors.
Researchers interviewed parents and carers across North East England.
What the study found
Those interviewed spoke about the sacrifices for their families, and feeling lonely, isolated and anxious when they struggled to access adequate childcare support.Dr Qi contributed to the childcare provision and policy review. Dr Ayadurai worked on the impact of the cost of living crisis, and the alignment to child poverty.
It found that:
- Many parents and carers struggle to find adequate childcare, with knock-on effects for their employment, wellbeing, and their children’s development and readiness for school.
- Parents are experiencing a loss of identity, and struggling to find time for themselves.
- Paying for childcare absorbs a huge amount of their salary.
- Much of the support available requires parents to be in work.
- Families are struggling to claim childcare support.
- The childcare gap is particularly damaging for those who are already vulnerable and marginalised, including families where English is not the first language, those with Special Education Needs and Disabilities and medical needs, and families experiencing separation or addiction recovery.
A call for change
The report calls for childcare to be recognised as a vital part of national and regional economic infrastructure, necessary for the health and wellbeing of families and the development of the children themselves.They are recommending:
- Reforming childcare funding and benefits, to ensure it is transparent, fully covers costs, and supports parents balancing work and caregiving.
- Conducting a regional childcare assessment.
- Expanding childcare for child development.
- Improving workforce pay and conditions.
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