Childcare is expensive. This has a significant impact on the jobs market, the main result being that many new mothers are prevented from returning to work because the domestic sums simply don’t add up. Balancing work and childcare is tricky problem that affects plenty of people.
A new survey by jobs site working mums.co.uk recently found that the high cost of childcare is still the main barrier preventing mothers from returning to work, according to annual survey results from jobs site workingmums.co.uk. Of those currently not working, 61 per cent surveyed said childcare costs were making it hard for them to return to employment.
It seems that government’s plans to bring in free childcare for three and four year olds, as well as a tax-free childcare initiative can’t come soon enough for most. But it’s unlikely to suddenly magic away all problems when it comes to balancing childcare and work.The research also states that there has traditionally been an excessive focus on relieving the costs of early-years childcare, when care for schoolchildren is also a major issue – cited by 57 per cent of the 2,300 survey participants. These mums find that providing after-school care and care during holidays can impair their ability to do their jobs.Those in work were not reported to be happy with the current state of affairs. An inflexibility of available childcare options agreed by 41 per cent was often relieved by a dependence on extended family (45 per cent).A marked reduction of those who would consider shared parental leave from 44 per cent to 38 per cent appears to suggest a desire for more robust solutions, or solutions which just allow more mums to get back to work. Although workingmums itself proposes that the drop is likely to be connected with a raised awareness of legislation complexity.
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The founder of working mums.co.uk, Gillian Nissim, underlined the survey’s findings.
“The survey results show there are significant problems with the cost and availability of childcare and with the kind of flexible childcare options that parents are increasingly demanding. In the last general election, childcare featured prominently, yet most of the focus was on early years. Childcare for school-aged children consequently remains a particular problem and parents feel that this not being addressed by government policy.”Practical ways of making childcare options more flexible across different age ranges is a subject up for discussion. While the survey makes clear the issues and weaknesses in the current system, it’s short of many new ideas. Every family and job has different requirements, and accommodating the needs of all families and age-ranges is a big challenge.Solutions to balancing childcare and work might be implemented on a smaller scale, from the ground up. An improved understanding in all sizes of workplaces could help get more mums back to work more quickly.Greater acceptance and openness to flexible working practices could help to strengthen the resources of companies in the short to medium turn, with positive affects for mums, families and the wider economy. If you’re seeking a way back into the workplace, drop us a line.
