“Free” childcare
Isn’t Free
Its Knowingly Underfunded
The Problem
Chronic Underfunding
Early years settings are being asked to do more with less.
Rising costs, limited government funding, and increasing demand mean many providers are struggling to stay sustainable while still delivering the quality care children deserve.
Confused Parents
Parents are overwhelmed by changing guidance, funding rules, and long waiting lists.
Many don’t know what support their child is entitled to, how to access it, or where to turn when concerns about development or wellbeing arise.
Struggling Nurseries and Staff
Nurseries and early years staff are under immense pressure.
Recruitment challenges, staff burnout, and financial strain are making it harder to provide consistent, high-quality support for children and families.
The Untold Story
Fairy Tales of
“Free” Childcare
These fairy tales are inspired by real-world challenges in childcare —blending humour, heart, and advocacy to bring important issues to life.
The Princess and The Peanuts
The Three Little Nurseries
The Empty Slippers
The Princess and The Peanuts
The Little Red Hen and the Nursery Crisis
Empty Slippers: The Disappearing Workforce
Snow White
The Three Little Nurseries
The Magic Funding Pot
The Elves and Mr DofE The Shoemaker
It’s More Than Hours.
It’s About Their Future.
Read The Latest
Our Blog
Can We Stop Pretending Reggio Emilia Is Accessible to Most Nurseries?
The Princess of Wales and the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood have once again highlighted the Reggio Emilia approach in the media. And to be clear, Reggio Emilia is beautiful. It’s thoughtful, creative, child-led, inspiring, and deeply respectful of...
Why Is Profit In Childcare Still Seen As Wrong?
A recent airing of Dragon’s Den featured young woman who had suffered from severe ME had used some accupressure ‘ear seeds’ which transformed her health. She started selling them for £30 a set, and the cost to her was £3. The Dragons were hugely impressed at her 900%...
Why We’re Called Free Childcare: The Untold Story
On the surface, our name sounds simple. After all, that’s what the government wanted to portray free childcare in the UK. It sounds like something positive.. Something that should exist in a country that says it backs working families. But the truth behind our name...