The early years education system in the UK is a mess. Soaring nursery fees are causing parents – usually mothers – to quit their jobs, yet childcare settings are so chronically underfunded they are barely able to stay afloat, prompting underpaid staff to leave in droves.
The government has promised a childcare revolution, with more free hours for families. The Guardian’s Alexandra Topping speaks to parents and campaigners to find out whether this additional help for parents will fix the problems in the childcare sector or simply heap more pressure on an industry already on the verge of collapse
