According to the Childcare Voucher Providers Association (CVPA) whose research canvassed the views of 17,000 parents that are currently using the scheme, more than 84% of working parents have had to reconsider their career plans since the closure of Employer Provided Childcare Voucher schemes to new entrants. No employers have been allowed to accept new entrants into these schemes since 4th October 2018.
The research also found that 40% of working parents would be less likely to return to work following the closure of the schemes. Since its introduction, 60% of respondents who signed up for the new government tax-free childcare scheme as an alternative to childcare vouchers, stated that their experience had been unclear or confusing. Only 20% have found the new scheme easy to use. Whereas, 98% of parents still benefiting from the childcare voucher programme, stated that they were happy with their experience.
97% expressed a view that they would support the reopening of childcare vouchers to new entrants.
Jane van Zyl, chief executive officer at Working Families, said:
“Re-opening the childcare voucher scheme to new entrants is a policy that is aligned with the government’s objectives, clearly has widespread support from parents, employers, and childcare providers and will be straightforward to implement because the necessary infrastructure is already in place, with the scheme continuing to be available for existing beneficiaries.”
