The traditional 9am to 3pm school day does not always fit the demands of working parents, and not enough schools offer before- and after-school activities that meet childcare requirements, according to a new Government report.
Childcare is a “major concern” for families, with parents often finding it difficult to arrange the right care at the right price, it says.
The document, published by the Department for Education (DfE), sets out the Government’s plans to improve the supply of affordable childcare.
Under the proposals, schools will be given help to offer inexpensive after-school and holiday activities, either by themselves or working with other organisations.
Schools will be allowed to change their opening and closing times as they see fit, the document says, and planning restrictions will be relaxed to make it easier for nurseries to expand.
How do you juggle childcare and what do you think of this new idea?