Experts in England argue that all parents, working or not, must have access to childcare.

A revolutionary manifesto backed by leading employers and unions is calling for a major overhaul of childcare provision in England. The manifesto advocates for making early education accessible to all children, regardless of their parents’ employment status. Thirty-five national organizations, including the Federation of Small Businesses and the Fawcett Society, are pushing for reforms to the current childcare model.

The coalition behind the manifesto, Early Education and Childcare Coalition (EECC), aims to ensure that childcare costs do not exceed 5% of household income within five years. Currently, English households spend 25% of their total income on early years education, significantly higher than other countries like Sweden, Germany, France, and Spain.

The EECC manifesto also addresses the shortage of childcare professionals, highlighting the need for a new early years workforce strategy. The public supports these initiatives, with research showing 71% of voters believe children should have access to early education, and 67% agree that investing in childcare benefits the entire country.

The current childcare system faces criticism for its dependence on parents’ work status and its lack of affordability and availability for many families. The manifesto seeks to level the playing field for children from all backgrounds and provide quality childcare that transforms their life chances.