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
Underfunding childcare is not just a policy choice; it is a decision that directly harms the workforce delivering it.
I have been following someone called ‘The Nursery Survivor’ on Instagram. The account is run by an ex-nursery worker who clearly had some terrible experiences working in nurseries. The short videos are funny and sometimes excruciatingly accurate. She portrays life in...
Britain Is Getting Childcare Wrong – And Our Children Will Pay the Price
Across the world, governments are scrambling to solve a childcare crisis. Costs are soaring, parents are struggling, women are being pushed out of work, and birth rates are falling. In response, politicians are promising ‘free childcare’ at an unprecedented scale. On...
An open letter to parents about “Free” Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC)
Dear parents, We are writing to explain what is happening behind the scenes in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) right now, and why many nurseries are deeply worried about the future of ECEC places and whether early years education and childcare will still...
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
