New figures have revealed that Ipswich’s childcare provision is in crisis, with up to 78 children potentially vying for each available childcare place.
In Ipswich, there are 4,393 children aged 1-3, and 11,797 children aged 4-11, but only 33 registered childminders and 207 childminder places.
That means that, with a total of 16,190 children under the age of 12 in Ipswich, there could be up to 78 children competing for a single childminder place.
The research from the Labour Party highlights the challenging situation facing families in accessing affordable childcare.
According to the OECD, the UK has some of the highest childcare costs in the world. It also follows research showing the disproportionate impact on women of the childcare crisis. Campaign group Pregnant then Screwed recently highlighted data which shows that for the first time in decades the number of women leaving the workforce to look after family has increased. For women aged between 25 – 34 years old, it has increased by 12.6% in the last year.
The statistics were revealed in a parliamentary question submitted by Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson.
Jack Abbott, Labour and Co-operative Parliamentary Candidate for Ipswich, said:
“Childminders provide really important flexible and affordable care for children. These figures are extremely worrying and show the crisis facing childcare locally and across the country.
“Under the Conservatives, childcare has become unavailable and unaffordable. It is coming up to the Christmas holidays and many parents will be juggling work with childcare and will simply be unable to find the provision they need.
“Childcare is a real challenge for many families I have spoken to across Ipswich and needs to be urgently addressed by the Government. One of my priorities is ensuring there is proper investment in early years and a modern childcare system that works for families.”
The research comes after the Shadow Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson pledged that a Labour Government would totally transform childcare with a system that provides comprehensive support from the end of parental leave right to the end of primary school and recognises how modern families live their lives today. That includes the introduction of fully funded breakfast clubs in every primary school.