An increase in nurseries staying open longer
A Report published shows an increase in the number of nurseries staying open longer. These figures show a considerable increase from 2015. Flexibility in childcare has increased, providing more parents with different childcare options. Settings such as nurseries, playgroups, and School holiday sessions are now offering longer opening hours.
Figures show that 54.3% of nurseries are now offering both part day and whole day sessions, the choice has risen compared to previous years. Along with nurseries, playgroups are also falling into this category and are now offering more whole day sessions. As well as an increase in childcare settings offering whole day sessions, figures show an increase in a number of services offering longer opening hours. These extended hours are to cover breakfast and after-school activities.
The improvements to increase opening hours follows several complaints from parents who are struggling to access childcare.