UK Childcare Expansion Faces Quality Risks, Warns Watchdog

The National Audit Office reports potential decline in childcare quality due to staffing and supervision changes under new government policies.

The expansion of free childcare hours in the UK could compromise care quality, with an influx of inexperienced staff and increased child-to-staff ratios.
Local authorities express concerns over meeting the demand for childcare places, with only 34% confident in their capacity for September.
Government aims to boost workforce by 40,000 but faces significant challenges in recruitment and space availability.
Critics argue the policy may not fulfill its goal to encourage more parents into work, potentially affecting disadvantaged children most.
The Department for Education has launched initiatives to support the sector, including increased funding and a £6.5 million recruitment campaign.