Major project to increase minority ethnic communities' access to childcare
Daycare Trust, the national childcare charity, has launched a major project to learn more about the childcare needs of black and minority ethnic parents and carers.
The Parents' Eye project aims to engage, empower and inform parents and carers from a range of communities in Croydon, Kent, Doncaster, Kingston-upon-Hull, Rochdale and Oldham.
Childcare is recognised as a key service for families experiencing poverty, and has a proven impact on the health, social development and educational attainment of children. But many families from black and minority ethnic communities are missing out on childcare services:
- Only 79% of black parents and 68% Asian parents accessed any form of childcare in 2001, compared with 87% of white parents.
- 56% of people from black and minority ethnic communities live in the 44 most disadvantaged local authorities.
Stephen Burke, Director of the Daycare Trust, said:
"Childcare can help promote equality and tackle disadvantage but still too many children and families from black and minority ethnic communities are missing out. It is crucial that we better understand the childcare needs of black and minority ethnic groups. Better childcare services for black and minority ethnic children and families will help build a thriving multi-ethnic Britain where everyone has a better chance in life."
The Parents' Eye is a one year project supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. Through discussions with parents and carers the project will offer support, training and information to:
- Raise parents' and carers' awareness about childcare
- Enable parents and carers to have more of a say in childcare
- Empower parents to influence and become more involved in childcare
- Build up a better understanding of the childcare needs of black and minority ethnic families
For further information about Parents' Eye contact Megan Pacey or Beth Reid at Daycare Trust on 020 7840 3350.
Daycare Trust is the national childcare charity. It promotes quality affordable childcare for all and advises parents, providers, employers, trade unions and policymakers on childcare issues. Daycare Trust runs a childcare helpline for parents (020 7840 3350), open for calls Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm, with access to Language Line interpreters (from 15th January 2002) for non-English speakers. Parents can also visit http://www.daycaretrust.org.uk
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