The cost of childcare in Bolton has been recognised as a ‘real challenge for families during a cost-of-living crisis’ as new figures show how much parents are having to pay out.

New estimates from the Department for Education suggest parents in Bolton were paying £5.37 an hour in 2023 to have their two-year-olds looked after – less than the England average of £6.07.

For children aged three and four, childcare cost parents in the area £5.49 an hour, below an average of £5.90 for this age group.

The Department for Education surveyed 30 childcare providers for two-year-olds in Bolton and 41 for those aged three and four.

However, despite costs being lower than the England average, childcare costs in Bolton have risen since 2018.

The average hourly fee charged by childcare providers for three and four year olds in Bolton was £5.25 in 2019, according to a Department for Education survey.

In 2018, childcare costs in Bolton were £4.25 for three to four year olds compared to £5.49 in 2023.

This means there has been a £1.24 increase in five years.

Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Martin Donaghy, said: “While childcare in Bolton is cheaper than the national average, we recognise that costs have risen, and this is a real challenge for families during a cost-of-living crisis.

“The council monitor the capacity for childcare places across the borough to ensure families have a range of options in their area.

“As part of the Bolton Family Hub Network, parents and carers can contact Bolton Families Information Service for support to find childcare.”

Bolton Families Information Service can be contacted via families@bolton.gov.uk, on 01204 332170, or in person through any of the council’s Family Hub sites.

The national Childcare Choices website also provides details of financial support for childcare costs.

Across the North West, average childcare costs for two-year-olds stood at £5.35 an hour. England as a whole has seen a 6.5 per cent jump in fees.

The Government made expanding free childcare a key pledge in last year's budget, in a drive to help parents back into the workforce.

Currently, parents earning below £100,000 can claim 15 hours of free care for children aged three or four – but this will expand to two-year-olds from April.

However, a children's charity has said parents are still being "locked out" of work by expensive rates.

Ellen Broomé, managing director of Coram Family and Childcare, said high costs have been an issue for many years.

She said: "At a time when family budgets are under extreme pressure, the cost of childcare is making it near impossible for families to increase their income by working more hours.

“And too many parents, particularly mothers, are effectively locked out of work as they can’t make the sums add up.

“High quality childcare is key social infrastructure. It helps parents work and narrows the gap between poorer children and their more affluent peers."

She welcomed the expansion of free care this spring – but said bringing prices down and making it accessible will be key, particularly when it comes to helping disadvantaged children.

Separate figures from the Office for National Statistics show employment rates among young parents – particularly mothers – are significantly lower than their peers.

As of 2021, just under half of mothers with a child aged two or younger were in work, rising to just 55 per cent for those with a toddler aged three to four.

A Department for Education spokesperson said their plans could save eligible parents £6,500 per year, on average.

They said: "We want to ensure eligible families can benefit from this transformative offer as soon as possible, while ensuring parents and providers are prepared. That is why the first stage of the new offer will start in April, and working parents can register for a place now.

"More widely we are providing an average £3,700 per household in cost-of-living support between 2022 and 2025, and for parents on Universal Credit, we have already increased by almost 50 per cent the maximum amount they can claim back in childcare costs."

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