To: Social Affairs ‘Think Tank’ From: A Student (insert your name here) Date: 4 th March 2012

1. To: Social Affairs ‘Think Tank’ From: A Student (insert your name here) Date: 4th March 2012 Subject: Free childcare until children leave primary school Role and Remit I am a social policy researcher and have been asked to prepare a report in which I will recommend or reject a proposal to provide free childcare until children leave primary. Recommendation After reviewing all of the available information I have decided to recommend this proposal.

2. Source evidence Explanation Relate back to recommendation Rebuttal Background knowledge

3. Reasons for Recommendation Childcare arrangements are unsatisfactory It is not always possible to access free nursery places. Childcare can prove to be expensive if a private nursery is used or elderly relatives may have to carry the burden if affordable childcare is not available. For example in source c2b a place in a private nursery can cost £28.00 and source c2a shows 60% of families have to rely on grandparents instead of using childcare.Free childcare should be introduced because it will benefit more people especially those who rely on elderly relatives who may be unable to fully care for children or those living on a lower income.

4. Public support an increase in taxes The public would support an increase in taxes if it meant quality childcare was available. Many parents are unable to afford quality childcare. A Scottish Children’s charity recently published a report that showed Scottish parents are facing some of the highest childcare costs in Britain. Twenty-five hours of care over 50 weeks could cost as much as £11, 688. A recent MORI poll shows 53% support paying extra taxes, providing that the revenue raised was targeted at quality childcare. Affordingquality childcare is beyond the means of many parents currently. By increasing taxes a little, which the majority of the public support, every child would be guaranteed free childcare until the end of primary.

5. It relieves pressure from families Free childcare should be made available until children leave primary school because this would take the pressure off of families. If children are allowed to be looked after for free then this will allow parents to bring more money into the home and improve their quality of life. In source A it states ‘too many children still live in poverty.’ This is supported by source c1 where it states that currently just under 20% of children in 2005 were living in poverty. It its also known that children living in poverty are more likely to live in poverty as adults and the cycle will continue throughout the generations of the family. If childcare were free until the end of primary families would be less likely to live in poverty and the pressure would be relieved. For this reason I would recommend free childcare until the end of primary school.

6. Opponents would argue A variety of schemes are already in place There are already a variety of schemes in place to support families with children. They are targeted at helping children in poverty and are proving effective. For example, in source B it states ‘in Scotland Sure Start is targeting help at 15,000 children in areas where the cycle of deprivation is most damaging. In source C1 it shows that child poverty has decreased from 25% in 1998/99 to only 18% in 2004/05. However, in source A it states these initiatives only reach a minority of families but ‘free childcare for every child until the end of primary school might seem expensive but like child benefit it would benefit every family in the land!’ An evaluation of Sure Start carried out by Hull University found the scheme often did not reach the families who needed help such as Black and minority ethnic groups. Introducing free childcare until the end of primary will ensure every child gets the best start in life not just some.

7. 3-5 year olds are already entitled to pre-school education Free childcare up to primary school age is sufficient. Once children start primary school there is no need for childcare as children are in school learning. In source B it states that ‘all children between three and five years old are already entitled to a free pre school education.’ However, despite this it is often very difficult for parents to get spaces at local nurseries if they do not put forward their child early enough and the cost of a private nursery is also too high for lone parents. This is shown in source c3 where it states that 44% of lone parents only earn up to £200 and a further 34% only earn up to £201-£400. This shows that it is often difficult to get free nursery places and when they are unavailable it is often too expensive to go private. For this reason I would recommend free childcare until the end of primary.

8. The Government Must Reduce Public Spending The government cannot afford to pay for free childcare to the end of primary in the current economic climate. Due to the global financial crisis the government must cut back on spending so it can cut the national debt. Other services would have to be cut if the government implemented this policy. However, if governments are serious about giving our children the best start in life then they will find a way of providing such a service. For example, the Scottish Government is committed to implementing the European Commission’s Communication on Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), which believes access to universally available and high quality ECEC will benefit everyone as it is the foundation for successful lifelong learning. Improving the effectiveness of education systems is the key to a successful economy. Investing in children’s education through free access to childcare to the end of primary should reap rewards for the country in the long-run.

9. Conclusion In conclusion, while there are some arguments against free childcare until primary leaving age the benefits are much stronger. It will relieve pressure from families, it will provide access to good quality childcare and the public would support it. By laying the foundations for successful lifelong learning, today’s children will be better prepared to make the UK a prosperous country with a thriving economy as a result of their talent. For this reason the scheme to provide free childcare until children leave primary school should be accepted.