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By Rachel Lawler

The rising cost of living and the impact of the pandemic have led to a “sharp drop” in the availability of childcare places and increased costs, according to .

The survey found that parents are paying 2.5% more for children under two, 2% more for children aged two and 3.5% more for children aged three- to four-years-old than they were in 2021.

Declining availability
Availability of childcare has also decreased, with only 57% of local authorities reporting that they have sufficient place available for children under two – down from 72% in 2021. Only 59% of local authorities say they have enough for parents who work full-time, down from 69% last year.

Parents of children with SEND particularly struggle, with just 21% of local authorities have enough childcare, down from 25% in 2021.

Declining access to funded hours
The number of children access the 15 and 30 hours offers has also decreased, with 38% of local authorities reporting a decrease in the number of children using the two-year-old offer.

40% of local authorities have also seen a decrease in the uptake of the three- and four-year-old offer.

Financial difficulties
14% of local authorities reported that “at least a quarter” of their group-based providers are facing “severe” financial difficulties. Nearly two-thirds of local authorities (57%) have seen providers raise their prices and 30% have increased the number of children looked after by each staff member.

Call for reform
In response, Coram Family Childcare has called on the government to double the early years pupil premium, extend eligibility for the 30 hours offer to parents in education or training, reform Universal Credit, reallocate the Tax-Free C