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Education secretary to order review of hidden childcare costs
Key takeaways
- But ministers are concerned that families are still facing costs to secure places – through demands for non-refundable deposits.
- In some cases parents who successfully secure a nursery place are expected to meet additional costs for meals, snacks, nappies and suncream.
- Ministers are concerned the offer of free childcare for many working parents is being undermined.
Why this matters: a developing story that could shape the day's news cycle.
Iain Watson,Political correspondentand Chris Graham Getty Images Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is to ask the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to examine the hidden costs parents may be charged by childcare providers.
The Conservative government introduced 30 hours of free childcare for most working parents of three and four-year-olds in England for 38 weeks a year, and Labour extended eligibility to parents of children as young as nine months old.
But ministers are concerned that families are still facing costs to secure places – through demands for non-refundable deposits.
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