Annual survey highlights divide between eligible families and others
Early Years childcare is becoming more affordable overall, but there are ‘serious gaps’ in access for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and those from poorer families, according to an annual survey.
The 2026 edition of the Childcare Survey, which has been conducted annually by the children’s charity Coram for the last 25 years, finds that the full expansion of the 30-hour funded childcare entitlement in England means that a part-time (25 hour) childcare place for a child under two is now theoretically free for eligible families during term-time, whilst the cost of a full-time (50 hour) place has fallen by 39 per cent from 2025. For comparison, from the start of the survey in 2001 up to 2024, childcare costs for children under two had steadily risen each year, often above inflation, with a part-time place in 2024 costing families almost triple what they paid in 2001.
From September 2025, eligible working parents of children from nine months old up to school age have been able to access 30 hours of funded childcare per week, for 38 weeks per year. However, the survey finds that that the picture is often more complicated for many families. With entitlements only for 38 weeks of the year, there can be larger bills outside of term time, or higher weekly costs for those who stretch their entitlement over a greater number of weeks. In addition, families who are not eligible for the entitlements – because they are not in work, do not earn enough or do not meet other criteria – have to pay an average of £189 per week for a part-time nursery place for a child under two. Coram note in their report that this means there is a risk that disadvantaged children are being priced out of accessing the same early years education as those in working families.
Coram also say that gaps in sufficiency for children with SEND has emerged as one of the most concerning findings of the Childcare Survey over the last 25 years. The 2026 data finds that 44 per cent of local authorities (LAs) in England report having enough childcare for at least 75 per cent of early years children with SEND in their area, falling to 23 per cent for school aged children with SEND. However, there are considerable variations between LAs across England. In the south east, 50 per cent of LAs said they has sufficient childcare for early years children with SEND.
Lydia Hodges, Head of Coram Family and Childcare, said: ‘Looking at the steep rise of childcare costs over the past 25 years shows how crucial the introduction of the government’s expansion to funded hours in England is. Whilst there are complexities and caveats around the entitlement, it is undoubtedly a welcome support for working families. However, our analysis also highlights the now stark divide between those eligible for the entitlement and those who are not.’ She added: ‘We heard from parents about the huge value of childcare in enabling their children to grow and develop in a nurturing, positive environment. All children deserve that opportunity no matter what their parents earn, and disadvantaged children shouldn’t have to wait or get half measures. We call on the government to start taking steps towards making the funded hours universal, and to address the gaps for children with SEND as part of the upcoming SEND reform, so that no child misses out on this vital boost to their outcomes.’
Also commenting, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said; ‘The government must take the report’s findings and recommendations seriously and invest in Maintained Nursery Schools (MNS), many whose futures remain under threat. MNS have the expertise to provide high quality, integrated early education and care delivered alongside health services so that all aspects of the youngest children’s development can be supported. They are also uniquely placed to share this expertise with other early education and childcare providers so that all children in their local communities can benefit.’
Full report:
https://www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/research/childcare-survey-2026/