As reported by Irvine Times, a new report reveals that the UK spends significantly less per child on early education compared to other leading economies, with noticeable gaps in childcare access based on income
In early childhood education, expenditure per child in the UK is around £5,272, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) latest Education at a Glance study.
This is compared with around £8,976 per child on average across OECD countries with data available.
The report, which looks at the state of education systems in 38 nations with developed economies, plus 11 other countries, also found that the UK is the only OECD country where the child-teacher ratio in pre-primary education increased by more than 5% per year.
Between 2013 and 2022, the ratio of children to teaching staff at pre-primary level fell across most countries, from 16:1 to 15:1 on average in OECD countries, due to fewer children and more teachers.
The report also highlighted a “noticeable and consistent” income disparity in childcare participation.
On average, across OECD countries with available data, 32% of children under the age of three from lower-income households attend childcare, compared with 50% of those from higher-income households.
It said the enrolment gap across income levels is more pronounced in Ireland and the UK, where the cost of childcare is “relatively high” for parents.
The study was carried out before the Government’s expansion of funded childcare for working parents began being rolled out in England in April.
The OECD report – which will provide the latest indicators on the state of education around the world – is being launched in London on Tuesday morning and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is due to give a speech.
Working parents of all children older than nine months are now able to access 15 hours of funded childcare, before the full roll out of 30 hours a week to all eligible families in September 2025.
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