Families: share your experiences of childcare services

Overview

This call for views is now closed. Thank you to everyone who responded.  

The Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) update, published in September 2026, is available on the case page.

The update summarises what we've heard from families, providers, and other groups in response to the main areas of the study:  

  • access to high-quality services 
  • affordability and funding
  • information and consumer choice
  • the role of public bodies
  • cost drivers and the impact of different provider types 

About this call for views 

The CMA is looking into early years education and childcare services. 

These are services for children from birth until they start school around the age of 4 or 5 years old. For example, it includes childminders, nurseries, pre-schools and playgroups. 

How we handle responses

Depending on the number of responses we get, we are likely to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help us review them. If the CMA does make use of AI, it will say so in a future update.

We will not publish individual responses in full, but we expect to publish some views and quotes (without naming who said them), key numbers, and a summary of the broad themes arising from the responses.

Extra support 

The CMA is unable to help you with any specific issues you may have about using childcare services. 

If you have concerns about a specific provider, the UK government provides more information about complaints about childcare.  

Sign up to updates  

Sign up for email updates about our work on childcare. 

Closed 26 Jul 2026

Opened 1 Jul 2026

Interests

  • Markets