Childcare must be available to all, says study

Black and minority ethnic (BME) families face a number of hurdles in gaining access to and using childcare, according to a new study by national charity the Daycare Trust.

Produced in conjunction with the National Centre for Social Research, Ensuring equality: black and minority ethnic families' views on childcare finds that the increase in government spending on childcare has led to a corresponding increase in use across all ethnic backgrounds.

But usage patterns are far from uniform - black families are most likely to use formal childcare, for example, while white families are the main users of informal care and Asian families are least likely to use any childcare at all.

The report makes a number of recommendations for policymakers and childcare providers to meet BME families' needs, such as offering flexible provision for parents who work unusual hours, employing staff who represent and understand different cultures, and ensuring that information is readily available and accessible.

Alison Garnham, joint chief executive of the Daycare Trust, described the growth in childcare use as "very promising" but highlighted the report's finding that use of early-years services is more limited among BME families.

"Research has shown that BME families are more likely to be experiencing disadvantage, and good-quality early-years provision can support them in overcoming that disadvantage," she said. "The government needs to act now to ensure equality of access for all families."