Childcare in England risks becoming the preserve of the wealthy, MPs are warning.
Severe financial strain has been placed on private and independent nurseries offering the government's flagship free 30-hours scheme, they report. And those operating in poor areas are more likely to be threatened with closure, they say.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Childcare and Early Education heard evidence of a potential reduction in nursery places in deprived areas, while in affluent areas an increase in places looks likely.
The APPG report said: "Should this trend continue, we risk facing a situation where only wealthy families are able to access childcare services, leading to significant reductions in educational opportunities for children, as well as more challenges to parents looking to go back into work."
Nicole Politis, director of the Portico Nursery Group, who told the parliamentary inquiry that
"Sadly, some parents cannot afford the additional fees, and this is being exacerbated by the roll-out of Universal Credit. In the end, this means that the 30-hours scheme is not always reaching the most vulnerable families."
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