Despite promises of free childcare, many parents in England are still paying more than £1,000 a month due to hidden costs, such as meals, activities, and top-up fees.

The government’s 30-hour free childcare scheme, aimed at supporting working families, is criticised for not covering the full range of expenses that nurseries incur. This has left families facing hefty bills that significantly exceed expectations.

Nurseries argue that government funding fails to meet the actual cost of providing care, forcing them to charge parents for additional services. Many parents are struggling with these surprise fees, which they hadn’t anticipated when enrolling their children in the so-called “free” scheme. A parent explained, “We thought we were getting free childcare, but the bills still keep coming – it’s a huge financial strain.”

As this issue gains attention, the disparity between government promises and the reality for working parents is clear. Will the government adjust its funding to truly make childcare affordable, or will families continue to bear the burden of rising costs?

“We thought we were getting free childcare, but the bills still keep coming – it’s a huge financial strain.”

The government’s childcare scheme, designed to help working parents, appears to be falling short. With nurseries struggling to cover costs and parents left footing the bill, reform may be needed to deliver on the promise of affordable childcare.