A nursery chain with establishments in Oxfordshire says it has become the first nursery provider to allow parents to spread out the cost of childcare.

Your Co-op Little Pioneers has 45 nurseries across the UK, including five in the Oxfordshire, has done this in a bid to help more children access early years education.  

The Oxfordshire nurseries are in Carterton, Headington, Witney and Oxford.

It comes as the nursery chain polled 2,000 parents of children aged up to five on the impact of childcare costs, with four in 10 parents across the country forced to reduce their working hours. 

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This is despite the majority of parents recognising the benefits of a child going to nursery, with the development of social skills, making friends and building confidence highlighted as particular benefits.  

The study found that 71 per cent of mums and dads have seen an impact on their childcare arrangements due to the cost-of-living. 

And although government-funded childcare support is making a financial difference, according to 77 per cent of those who have used it, one in seven of eligible families haven’t taken advantage of it. 

In partnership with The Co-op Credit Union and Fair For You, Little Pioneers is offering a range of ethical finance options which allow parents to spread out the cost of childcare, typically reducing monthly payments by around 40 per cent.  

The study found 52 per cent of parents would benefit from paying for childcare fees in this way – whether it be paying smaller, more regular sums or smaller sums each month over a longer period.  

Sara Dunham, chief officer for the early years provider, said: “We believe all children should have access to quality early years education, and we know how important this is in helping the next generation achieve their true potential, including developing social skills, building confidence and language development.  

“We hope that in offering more flexibility for parents by not only providing support for those navigating the new government funding, but in also developing the Play Now, Pay Later scheme, we’re helping to lay the foundations for more children to access quality early years education.” 

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With Labour honouring the rollout of additional government funded childcare from September 2024 and September 2025, 39 per cent of eligible parents said they are more likely to return to work as they will be more able to cover childcare costs.  

Sara Dunham added: “By the time a child reaches five, they have already developed 90 per cent of their brain, so these early years and experiences lay the foundations for learning, socialising and overall confidence. 

“But this research shows how childcare costs are impacting families, preventing some from being able to return to work.  

“We know from Ofsted research that children who spend longer in early years provision go on to do better in school and beyond, so it’s not only important for mums and dads to be able to work for their own careers but to support their children’s futures through early years education.”