28.01.13
Poorer quality childcare found in deprived areas
People living in the most deprived areas of the country receive poorer quality childcare than those in wealthy areas, a new report shows.
Policy Exchange found that 79% of all nurseries or childminders were rated as ‘good’ or outstanding by Ofsted, compared to 64% in the most deprived areas.
The report comes as early minister Liz Truss considers relaxing the rules restricting the number of children childminders can look after.
The think tank recommends that Teach First provision should be extended to early years, councils should be required to publish the quality of their provision and simplification of the childcare element of working tax credit.
Better qualified staff improve outcomes for children and reducing error and fraud in the childcare element of working tax credits could save at least £160m, the report suggests.
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Image c. Dave Buchwald