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 Free Childcare Illusion: Parents Are Still Paying
When politicians promise “free childcare”, it sounds like a lifeline for parents. But behind the headlines and hashtags lies a more complicated truth, one that thousands of families are discovering the hard way.Because “free” childcare in the UK isn't really free at...
Not Just Numbers: How Underfunding Changes a Child’s Day
Because behind every statistic is a child’s story. When we hear about “budget cuts” or “funding shortages,” it can sound distant, something that happens in reports and meetings, not in the real lives of children. But the truth is, underfunding doesn’t just show up in...
Digital IDs and Child Surveillance: A Warning We Can’t Ignore
This week’s UK nursery data breach should be a wake-up call. Hackers targeted the Kido nursery chain, stealing sensitive records on over 8,000 children and families — names, addresses, photos, even safeguarding notes. Some of this data has already appeared online....
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
