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Fathers need high-quality, affordable childcare too

Early education and childcare is a crucial aspect of family life, and the role of fathers in this domain is often underrepresented. All too often, the costs and availability of these vital infrastructural services are represented as a mother-only concern – when in reality, fathers as well as mothers rely on paid-for education and childcare in order to participate in the workforce.
young children holding hands

We want to ensure all fathers are aware of the government support available to help access formal childcare. You can check your eligibility by visiting the Childcare Choices website to see what you are entitled to today, and in the future.

 

Whilst mothers are more likely than fathers to work part-time, or remain out of paid employment in their children’s early years (see table at end), both parents usually share the roles of choosing and paying for their children’s early education and childcare, and supporting children’s development and learning at home. For more on this, see our recent blog Better support for dads may help more children get 'school ready'.


Counting the cost

Almost 70% of UK parents with children aged under five use some kind of childcare, with most of these using some kind of formal childcare, often in combination with informal childcare. Use of formal childcare increases with household income – as one might expect, given that childcare costs in the UK are among the highest in the world, accounting for a quarter of average household income according to OECD figures. That’s more than double the OECD average.

 

From September 2025, the Government’s childcare offer of 15 hours for working families with children under 3 will expand to 30 hours, meaning eligible working families can apply for 30 hours of childcare from the term after their child turns 9 months until they reach school age.



‘I wanted to be there for my kids, but I also needed to juggle’

For this blog, we spoke to dad Jason Breen, an assistant headteacher at Ilkley Grammar School, about his experiences of accessing this support.

man stood in front of trees

Jason's journey into fatherhood began with a mix of excitement and apprehension. As a working parent with two children, now aged 3 and 7, he faced the challenge of balancing his career with the demands of raising his children. "I wanted to be there for my kids, to support their growth and development, but I also needed to juggle this with work," he recalls.

 

Using the online eligibility checker on the Childcare Choices website, Jason discovered his family were eligible for government childcare support, and he says this significantly eased the burden of childcare costs. "There is a wide range of government support that could help give your child a great start and you the choices you need. It allowed us to access high-quality childcare without compromising our budget. It made a significant difference in our family's overall well-being."

 

Jason and his partner benefit from 30 hours of funded childcare, as well as Tax Free childcare. Tax-Free Childcare helps pay for wraparound childcare in the mornings and holiday clubs for their eldest. This support has eased the pressure of family life and supported both him and his wife in their return to work - fathers need childcare too. The decision to send their children to nursery all year round, instead of term time only, relieved a lot of pressure on Jason, whose job requires a lot of non-term time work during holidays.

 

Jason has seen first-hand the benefits of early education to his children's development: "Seeing my children thrive in a nurturing environment was incredibly rewarding. They developed social skills, creativity, and independence, which are essential to help them get ready for school."

 

Unsurprisingly, given the nature of his career, Jason's involvement in his children's education has extended beyond selecting the right childcare. He has seen improvement in their education, which he has then built on at home.

"I really enjoy getting involved in their learning activities while at home, from reading bedtime stories to engaging in educational play. Being involved in my children's education has strengthened our bond and allowed me to contribute to their growth in meaningful ways."

Despite the challenges, Jason emphasises the importance of fathers taking an active role in childcare and early education. "I was surprised to learn that 90% of a child’s brain growth happens before the age of 5. Fathers have a unique role to play in their children's development, and it's crucial that we embrace this responsibility in their early years. I’d encourage all fathers to visit the Start for Life website to check the small actions they can take to support their children’s development. Being a father is one of the most rewarding experiences, and it's essential that we support each other in this journey", he concludes. "Together, we can create a nurturing environment where our children can thrive."



Key resources from the Fatherhood Institute

  • Fatherhood Factsheets: particularly 'sharing the earning and caregiving', 'supporting your child’s education', and 'stay-at-home dads'

  • Final Report, Briefing for Practitioners, and Guide for Families from the PIECE (Paternal Involvement and its Effects on Children’s Education) study

  • The MITEY (Men In The Early Years) campaign (currently on hold due to lack of funds)

  • We are also members of the Early Education and Childcare Coalition, whose vision is:

    • High quality provision for all children, especially those who benefit the most

    • Sustainable provision that works for all kinds of working parents and their employers

    • Good pay, terms, and conditions for the professionals who deliver it

    • Accessible and affordable options for all parents, in all communities

    • Locally-shaped options that respond to local circumstances

 

Are you a dad having problems accessing high quality, affordable childcare?

You’re not alone – check out this recent BBC news report ‘Britain’s nursery problem: Parents still face ‘childcare deserts’. If you’re a dad affected by this, we’d love to hear from you: email Jeremy at j.davies@fatherhoodinstitute.org.

 

The Fatherhood Institute is a UK charity working to build a society that values, prepares, and supports men as involved fathers and caregivers. Accelerate our campaigns and help us strengthen our platform as the leading voice on fatherhood in the UK by donating or purchasing an FI content subscription. Join the movement for lasting, transformative change for fathers, families, businesses, and society today.



Table. Economic activity of men and women with dependent children under age 5

 

Working full-time (%)

Working part-time (%)

Economically inactive – and in brackets, economically inactive & looking after family/home (%)

 

Unemployed (%)

Men living with youngest dependent child aged 0-2

85.2

4.7

5.9 (2.3)

1.9

Men living with youngest dependent child aged 3-4

84.4

6.9

3.5 (1.4)

1.0

Women living with youngest dependent child aged 0-2

35.1

34.0

27.0 (23.4)

2.2

Women living with youngest dependent child aged 3-4

35.5

35.9

23.0 (16.7)

3.9

Source: Office for National Statistics (2024). Working and workless households in the UK: July to September 2024. Table S.




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