A third of parents are struggling to access childcare, poll reveals

A THIRD of working parents have had to reduce their working hours – due to difficulties accessing childcare.

A poll of 3,000 employed mums and dads of children up to 11 revealed the struggles they face, with 31 per cent requesting flexible working arrangements to balance their responsibilities.

Nearly a quarter (24 per cent) rely on partners or other family members who have had to reduce their paid work or even quit their job.

And 16 per cent claim the impact of accessing childcare has led to them avoiding applying for new roles.

But despite the support provided, 46 per cent say they find it hard to maintain boundaries between their job and homelife.

Jane van Zyl, CEO of the charity Working Families, which commissioned the study ahead of National Work Life Week (7th-11th October), said: “Accessing affordable and reliable childcare has become a significant challenge for many families.

“A lot of parents are struggling to balance work and family life due to limited availability, rising costs, and long waiting lists.

“It’s not just an inconvenience – it’s a barrier that impacts career opportunities, financial stability, and overall well-being.”

The study also found 75 per cent regularly work overtime, as 23 per cent claim it’s the only way to manage their workload.

Nearly three in 10 (28 per cent) are implementing variable hours, 19 per cent are remote, and 15 per cent work term-time hours only to help with childcare issues.

However, a fifth of parents don’t have any flexible arrangements in place – with this being most prominent in the transport and logistics sector (42 per cent).

Parents who work in retail (32 per cent), leisure, sport and tourism (30 per cent), and hospitality and events management (29 per cent) are also impacted.

Despite 62 per cent claiming their employer cares about their work life balance, 51 per cent have previously refrained from applying for a job because it didn’t offer flexibility.

This is important as it allows them to manage childcare responsibilities (63 per cent), spend quality time with family (46 per cent), and helps to reduce the overall cost (45 per cent).

It also emerged parents believe flexible working has led to development of new skills (61 per cent), and an increased in loyalty to their current employer (73 per cent).

While 77 per cent of those polled via OnePoll.com went as far to say it has allowed them to stay in their current role.

However, six in 10 currently work shifts, with 27 per cent receiving up to only one weeks’ notice of their schedule – making it difficult to organise childcare arrangements.

Jane van Zyl added: “Flexible working is not only a benefit—it’s a necessity for today’s parents who are juggling work and family life.

“By offering more adaptable work arrangements, we empower parents to be present for their children while continuing to thrive professionally.

“We’ll be paying close attention to the upcoming changes to the Employment Bill expected this week to see how the Government are planning to overcome the challenges working parents are facing through more robust flexible working policies.”

Flexible working campaigner and ambassador for Working Families, Anna Whitehouse – also known as Mother Pukka – said: “This is the reality for so many parents – we’re stuck in a cycle where childcare is either unaffordable or unavailable, forcing families to make impossible choices.

“Parents are cutting back their hours or missing out on job opportunities just to get by day-to-day. The system, as it stands, doesn’t work.

“If we truly want to support families, we need workplaces that make it possible for parents to manage the balancing act of work and childcare, without having to sacrifice their own wellbeing.”

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