- Bridget Phillipson has urged the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to investigate hidden charges faced by parents accessing government-funded childcare.
- Eligible working parents in England are entitled to 30 hours of free childcare weekly, but many report being asked to pay additional fees.
- These extra costs include waiting list deposits, compulsory add-ons, additional hours, and charges for items like meals, nappies, and special activities.
- A survey revealed that over a quarter of parents cited cost as the primary barrier to accessing their preferred childcare options.
- The CMA has welcomed the education secretary's request and will develop a proposal for a review into the early years childcare sector.
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