Childcare System Falling Behind Rest Of World, Says Charity

England's childcare system is failing and falling behind much of the world, a charity for gender equality and women's rights has said.

- Jamie Grierson , Archie Bland

The Fawcett Society said childcare in England was failing on several fronts: affordability, quality and levels of public spending.

The charity looked at early childhood education and care provision in Australia, Canada, Estonia, France and Ireland - all countries that have recently completed or are undergoing government-led transformation - and found England's childcare fell short in ambition and delivery.

Its report echoed numerous warnings on the state of childcare in England, with surveys finding a third of parents with young children say they are struggling to afford it, nurseries warning government that plans for free childcare are undeliverable and about a quarter of a million mothers with young children leaving their jobs because of the difficulties of balancing work and childcare.

The most recent change to England's childcare system, which came into force this month, was an expansion of free hours. The Fawcett Society said while this was welcome for some families, the expansion's narrow focus would not help those who are disadvantaged and did not address wider issues with the system.

The charity argued in its report, published today, that the government should offer free "universal" hours of provision for all children from the end of parental leave until school age.