A coalition of 35 leading employers and unions in England has launched a manifesto calling for a radical overhaul of childcare provision. The Early Education and Childcare Coalition's 'Rescue and Reform' manifesto argues that the current model is crisis-prone and unaffordable for many families. The coalition, which includes major employers such as Unilever and BT, as well as unions like the GMB and Unison, is demanding that early education be made accessible to all children, regardless of their parents' work status.
The manifesto highlights the difficulties faced by families in accessing good-quality, affordable childcare. It notes that many parents are forced to choose between work and caring for their children due to the lack of available childcare options. The coalition is urging policymakers to reform the current childcare model to ensure that all children have access to high-quality early education, regardless of their parents' work status.
The coalition's demands include increasing funding for childcare provision, improving the quality of childcare services, and making childcare more affordable for families. It also calls for greater flexibility in childcare provision, to enable parents to balance work and family responsibilities more easily.
The 'Rescue and Reform' manifesto has been backed by dozens of leading employers and unions, and is seen as a significant development in the debate about childcare provision in England. The coalition is urging policymakers to take a more comprehensive approach to childcare provision, and to prioritize the needs of children and families.
According to the coalition, the current childcare model is failing families and children, and is having a negative impact on the economy and society as a whole. The coalition is calling for a more sustainable and equitable approach to childcare provision, which prioritizes the needs of all children and families.