Sean Michaels
19 Apr 2023
A study reveals that 74% of parents in London are worried about supporting their child's development at home, with many expressing concerns about socialisation and school readiness.
To find out more about the application processes for the range of offers available, parents in London are urged to visit the Childcare Choices websiteto check their current and future eligibility.
New research commissioned by the Department for Education’s Childcare Choices campaign reveals London parents' top concerns about raising young children, overhalf (53%)of these parents worry their child won’t make friends when they start school and almost three quarters (74%)are concerned about supporting their child’s development at home.
Early years education can be a great help, ensuring parents don’t have to navigate the journey of raising children on their own. Settings like nurseries and childminders, can play a pivotal role in developing children’s social, emotional, and cognitive growth, with 98% [1] of parents reporting their child has gained skills, such as communication and school readiness, from attending formal childcare.
Whilst early years education offers many benefits, some parents remain uncertain about its role in helping their child make friends. For example, in London nearly 1 in 3 (32%) think socialisation can wait until their child is aged 3-4 andalmost 1 in 5 parents (19%)believe it can wait until they enter the school classroom. With 90% of brain growth occurring by age 5, the year children start school in England, it’s vital they start early and are mixing with others, sharing common experiences, and understanding social habits and values before then.
Dr Elizabeth Kilbey, a psychologist specialising in child development and play, supports the Childcare Choices campaign. She shares the top five ways formal childcare and early years education supports children’s development:
Building the social network: Whilst one-on-one relationships are crucial, young children thrive in group settings where they can practice and hone their social skills. Formal childcare offers the perfect environment for this growth with both adults and peers.
All play is learning: Up to age 5, children's brains develop at lightning speed. They need diverse and stimulating activities to satisfy their curiosity. Formal childcare provides a wide range of play activities tailored to their learning needs.
High quality care: Young children deserve the best, and that means skilled and trained professionals. Research shows that access to trained childcare professionals significantly benefits early development and beyond.
Talking and thinking: Formal childcare settings are proven to improve cognitive development and communication skills, giving children a strong foundation for school.
Broadening horizons: Young children are naturally curious and open to new experiences. Formal childcare introduces them to new ideas, cultures, and experiences, laying a rich foundation for lifelong learning and exploration.
Early education settings provide structured opportunities for social interaction and skill-building. According to 42%of parents in London, being around other children is their child's favourite part of childcare. These formal settings support growth and bring joy to many children, working alongside parents’ efforts at home.
Alongside socialisation, these settings offer varied play activities. Parents in London who use childcare say their children enjoy outdoor play (46%), music and dance (35%), and adventure play, such as soft obstacle courses and climbing small play structures (28%) the most.
Formal childcare settings also offer daily opportunities for activities like water and sand play, which can be challenging to do at home. 25% of parents in London say their child’s favourite part of childcare is messy play, but 28% find it their own least favourite activity at home. These 'messy play' activities boost children's physical, cognitive, and social skills. In formal childcare, they provide a safe, nurturing environment with expert care, giving parents peace of mind knowing their child is in the hands of passionate, dedicated professionals.
With the 31 March deadline approaching, eligible working parents in London should apply for their childcare code now to start accessing support from April. Government childcare support has expanded and continues to grow. In September 2025, the 15 hours childcare for working families with children under 3 will expand to 30 hours.