Child care in the United Kingdom

Child care in the United Kingdom is supported by a combination of rights at work, public sector provision and private companies.

Marie Hilton started a creche for the children of working mothers in a house in London's Stepney Causeway on 22 February 1871.

Rights to leave from work to care for children have important consequences for career advancement and gender equality.

Moreover, a child's future perception differs depending on who spent more time with a kid: a mother or a father.

[11] The major right, which goes beyond the minimum set by the Pregnant Workers Directive,[12] is a mix of paid and unpaid maternity leave.

Except insofar as they administer the payments, employers do not bear most costs of maternity leave as they are reimbursed by the government according to their size and national insurance contributions.

Otherwise the Paternity and Adoption Leave Regulations 2002 state that a man is entitled to a minimum of just 2 weeks off, at the statutory rate of pay.

[23] Otherwise similar provisions apply on employees not suffering detriment or dismissal and having a right to their previous jobs back.

In Qua v John Ford Morrison Solicitors[24] Cox J emphasised that there is no requirement to deliver daily updates.

[27] Even nowadays, nannies are considered to be a privilege of wealthy families, putting the limitations on the working class sample.

The Employment Appeal Tribunal ruled that because "team spirit" was not one of the legitimate grounds for refusal, Mrs Rutty should get compensation, which is set at a maximum of 8 weeks' pay.