"Childcare should not be a luxury": Exploring experiences of formal and informal childcare in North East England

The cost of living crisis has hit families with young children hard, particularly those on low incomes. Increasing childcare costs and a benefits system which prioritises participation in the workforce, regardless of whether the work hours fit around the caring responsibilities of parents, has seen families struggling to access and afford childcare which meets their needs. This picture is starker for families in the North East of England where high levels of disadvantage are widespread and the ratio of childcare places to children is poorest. In this report, we explore people’s experiences of childcare provision in the North East. We expose the immense emotional burden of managing childcare, as well as the practical and financial challenges it places on parents and carers. The difficulties faced by providers to provide a high quality service in a sector which has typically low pay and high staff turnover is also examined.Childcare must be recognised as a vital piece of national and regional economic infrastructure. It offers an opportunity to alleviate poverty by supporting parents to return to work, improving both household income and wellbeing. It also plays an important role in child development and school readiness.