The employee benefits company predicts almost 60 per cent of companies will be offering vouchers by mid-2007. It interviewed 170 businesses, each with more than 500 employees. Around 42 per cent run schemes, up from 18 per cent in 2004.
Lynne Keeble, product manager of childcare vouchers at Accor, said, 'This research indicates that an increasing number of parents are using vouchers to pay for childcare. Nurseries that embrace this method of payment will help parents save money and may see a positive impact on the number of sessions booked.'
Susan Hay, chair of Working Families, a work-life balance organisation, said, 'Work-life balance is something all employers need to think about. It is an opportunity for the childcare industry, because childcare is the first port of call. It's the first barrier to work and the first step towards work-life balance.'
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