Free Childcare UK
Discover The Truth Behind Government Funding.
When the government announced 30 hours of free childcare for children as young as nine months, parents thought this was the breakthrough. Finally — support during the most expensive years.
But when the invoices arrived, many parents realised the bills hadn’t disappeared. In some cases, they barely changed at all.
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The “Free Daffodil” Analogy
The government promised free daffodils. Instead, families got bulbs.
A bulb has potential, but without soil, water, and sunlight, it never becomes a flower. Some parents can only afford the storage option — bulbs kept alive but never blossoming. Others invest more and watch their daffodils bloom bright and strong.
This is what’s happening in childcare. The government funding only covers the bulb. Parents are left paying for the rest — the care, the nourishment, the growth.
Latest Blogs
The Deaf Ears of the DfE
Early years providers are being placed in an impossible position. The sector is under intense regulatory pressure from Ofsted to deliver inclusion and accessibility for all children, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. At the same time,...
The Future of Independent Nurseries in the UK: Consolidation, Pressure and What Comes Next
Independent nurseries in the UK are at a crossroads. Over the past few years, large nursery groups and private equity–backed operators have been steadily buying up single-site and small-group providers. This isn’t accidental, it’s structural. And it raises an...
Why Itemised Invoices Risk Breaking Early Years Provision
The government’s push for early years providers to itemise invoices is presented as a move towards transparency and parental choice. In practice, it risks undermining how nurseries actually function. Nursery fees are not a collection of optional extras. They are the...
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.
What We’re Fighting For
Transparency — We want families to understand what ‘free’ childcare really means.
Fair Funding — We’re calling on the government to fund early years provision properly.
Respect for Providers — Nursery/preschool staff, childminders, managers, and owners deserve dignity, support, and recognition—not blame.
A Sustainable Sector — Without change, there may soon be no one left to provide the care our children need.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just about early years settings. It’s about the future of children, families, and the UK workforce. High-quality early years care is vital to child development, social mobility, and the economy. But it is being slowly dismantled by a system that refuses to value it.
We’re telling the untold story—not to blame, but to build bridges between providers and parents, and to push for policy that actually works.
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What Needs to Change?
To make childcare truly work for children and families, we need:
Fair funding across all counties – so postcode doesn’t decide opportunity.
Recognition of quality – not just hours, but what actually happens in them.
Proper pay for staff – our children’s first educators deserve respect and fair wages.
Children at the heart – policies designed for their needs, not just political headlines.
Resources:
Learn about the Childcare Crisis UK
The Childcare Funding Crisis
Underfunded and Overstretched:
The Childcare Recruitment Crisis
The Disappearing Workforce
The SEN Childcare Crisis
When ‘Free Childcare’ Doesn’t Include Every Child
