Parents Struggle to Secure Childcare as Government Funding Falls Short for Older Children

Monika and Henry Byrne are among many families facing a childcare crisis as their son Leo approaches his third birthday, requiring a new childcare arrangement. Despite government-funded hours for children aged nine months and older, many childminders are refusing to take on three- and four-year-olds due to inadequate funding. The number of childminders has dropped from nearly 48,000 in 2015 to 26,000 in 2024, according to Ofsted figures. Childminders like Georgina Young and Judy Wylde report operating at a loss, with funding rates for older children not covering their costs. ‘I am running at a loss, the funding is less than I would normally get an hour,’ said Georgina, who cares for children she’s known since infancy. The government has acknowledged the challenges, stating they are ‘backing the sector with £8bn in funding this year,’ but parents continue to struggle to find suitable childcare options.