Why do we have fewer children attending nurseries?

Kate Wilson

Tue 03 Oct 2023

 

Why do we have fewer children attending nurseries? - Childcare Trends 2022: Insights and Challenges

 

In a rapidly changing landscape, understanding the dynamics of childcare and early years education is crucial. The latest findings from the 2022 Childcare and Early Years Survey of Parents shed light on key trends and challenges. Here's a glimpse into what the data reveals:

Childcare Usage Patterns

  • Almost three in five (58%) children aged 0 to 14 in England utilized some form of childcare during their most recent term-time week in 2022.
  • Formal childcare, including nurseries, childminders, and clubs, saw an increase from 44% in 2021 to 47% in 2022.
  • A long-term decline in childcare usage from 2018 onwards is evident, with a drop from 69% in 2017 to 58% in 2022.

Age Matters

  • Younger children, aged 0 to 4, were more likely to receive childcare (71%) than older children (58% among all aged 0 to 14).
  • Among older children (12 to 14 years), formal childcare use rose to 30% in 2022 compared to 25% in 2021.

Cost Concerns

  • An increase in parents of children aged 0 to 4 finding it difficult to meet childcare costs, rising from 24% in 2021 to 32% in 2022.
  • Parents' perceptions of local childcare provision shifted, with 34% feeling there weren't enough childcare places in 2022, up from 28% in 2021.
  • Flexible childcare became harder to find, as 25% of parents reported problems in 2022, compared to 21% in 2021.

Working Moms

  • Mothers' participation in the workforce increased to 73% in 2022, up from 71% in 2021 and reflecting a rising trend since 2010.
  • However, the percentage of working mothers who believed reliable childcare helped them work decreased from 42% in 2021 to 38% in 2022.

These insights provide a snapshot of the evolving landscape of childcare and its impact on parents, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges. As policies and attitudes continue to shape this critical sector, staying informed is essential. Dive deeper into the data for a comprehensive understanding of the state of childcare in England.

Source: Official Statistics Release - Childcare and Early Years Survey of Parents 2022
https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/childcare-and-early-years-survey-of-parents