To: Social Affairs ‘Think Tank’
From: A Student (insert your name here)
Date: 4th March 2012
Subject: Free childcare until children leave primary school
Role and Remit
I am a social policy researcher and have been asked to prepare a
report in which I will recommend or reject a proposal to provide free
childcare until children leave primary.
Recommendation
After reviewing all of the available information I have decided to
recommend this proposal.
Source evidence
Explanation
Relate back to recommendation
Rebuttal
Background knowledge
Reasons for Recommendation
Childcare arrangements are unsatisfactory
It is not always possible to access free nursery places. Childcare can
prove to be expensive if a private nursery is used or elderly relatives
may have to carry the burden if affordable childcare is not available.
For example in source c2b a place in a private nursery can cost £28.00
and source c2a shows 60% of families have to rely on grandparents
instead of using childcare. Free childcare should be introduced
because it will benefit more people especially those who rely on
elderly relatives who may be unable to fully care for children or those
living on a lower income.
Public support an increase in taxes
The public would support an increase in taxes if it meant quality
childcare was available. Many parents are unable to afford quality
childcare.
A Scottish Children’s charity recently published a report that showed
Scottish parents are facing some of the highest childcare costs in
Britain. Twenty-five hours of care over 50 weeks could cost as much
as £11, 688. A recent MORI poll shows 53% support paying extra
taxes, providing that the revenue raised was targeted at quality
childcare. Affording quality childcare is beyond the means of many
parents currently. By increasing taxes a little, which the majority of
the public support, every child would be guaranteed free childcare
until the end of primary.
It relieves pressure from families
Free childcare should be made available until children leave primary
school because this would take the pressure off of families. If children
are allowed to be looked after for free then this will allow parents to
bring more money into the home and improve their quality of life.
In source A it states ‘too many children still live in poverty.’ This is
supported by source c1 where it states that currently just under 20% of
children in 2005 were living in poverty.
It its also known that children living in poverty are more likely to live
in poverty as adults and the cycle will continue throughout the
generations of the family.
If childcare were free until the end of primary families would be less
likely to live in poverty and the pressure would be relieved. For this
reason I would recommend free childcare until the end of primary
school.
Opponents would argue
A variety of schemes are already in place
There are already a variety of schemes in place to support families with
children. They are targeted at helping children in poverty and are
proving effective. For example, in source B it states ‘in Scotland Sure
Start is targeting help at 15,000 children in areas where the cycle of
deprivation is most damaging. In source C1 it shows that child poverty
has decreased from 25% in 1998/99 to only 18% in 2004/05.
However, in source A it states these initiatives only reach a minority of
families but ‘free childcare for every child until the end of primary
school might seem expensive but like child benefit it would benefit every
family in the land!’ An evaluation of Sure Start carried out by Hull
University found the scheme often did not reach the families who needed
help such as Black and minority ethnic groups.
Introducing free childcare until the end of primary will ensure every
child gets the best start in life not just some.
3-5 year olds are already entitled to pre-school education
Free childcare up to primary school age is sufficient. Once children
start primary school there is no need for childcare as children are in
school learning. In source B it states that ‘all children between three
and five years old are already entitled to a free pre school education.’
However, despite this it is often very difficult for parents to get spaces
at local nurseries if they do not put forward their child early enough
and the cost of a private nursery is also too high for lone parents.
This is shown in source c3 where it states that 44% of lone parents
only earn up to £200 and a further 34% only earn up to £201-£400.
This shows that it is often difficult to get free nursery places and
when they are unavailable it is often too expensive to go private.
For this reason I would recommend free childcare until the
end of primary.
The Government Must Reduce Public Spending
The government cannot afford to pay for free childcare to the end
of primary in the current economic climate. Due to the global
financial crisis the government must cut back on spending so it
can cut the national debt. Other services would have to be cut if
the government implemented this policy. However, if governments
are serious about giving our children the best start in life then they
will find a way of providing such a service. For example, the
Scottish Government is committed to implementing the European
Commission’s Communication on Early Childhood Education and
Care (ECEC), which believes access to universally available and
high quality ECEC will benefit everyone as it is the foundation for
successful lifelong learning. Improving the effectiveness of
education systems is the key to a successful economy. Investing in
children’s education through free access to childcare to the end of
primary should reap rewards for the country in the long-run.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while there are some arguments against free childcare
until primary leaving age the benefits are much stronger. It will
relieve pressure from families, it will provide access to good quality
childcare and the public would support it. By laying the foundations
for successful lifelong learning, today’s children will be better
prepared to make the UK a prosperous country with a thriving
economy as a result of their talent. For this reason the scheme to
provide free childcare until children leave primary school should be
accepted.