The study for the Department for Children, Schools and Families looked at how to involve 'harder to engage' parents in childcare.
Researchers wanted to find out about how parents used informal and formal childcare to understand the 'trade-offs' that are made around childcare arrangements and identify parents' priorities in how services could be improved.
Mothers in the group felt 'a sense of entitlement' to high-quality, affordable childcare, while fathers were more interested in the logistical and financial aspects.
Nearly all the parents who took part said they found researching childcare options 'time-consuming'. Parents wanted one 'trustworthy website' with a message board to share concerns and gain advice from 'respected professionals', as well as other parents; clear information about different childcare options and tax credits; and advice on what they could do at home with their children.
Parents reported that they found breakfast and after-school clubs expensive, especially if they had more than one child, and said they were often oversubscribed.
The study found that many parents had heard of Sure Start Children's Centres but perceived them as being for families worse off than them. Parents referred to them as 'Sure Start' and did not mention 'children's centres'. The report said, 'Many felt they would need to hear positive things about them before they dip toes and go themselves.'
The study was carried out with a small number of focus groups across the country, with parents chosen to take part because of their attitudes to their children's education, which prioritised their children's well-being and happiness over academic achievement.
They were recruited from a range of socio-economic backgrounds and all had at least one child of pre-school or primary age.
Further information
'Parents as partners: Harder to engage parents' can be downloaded at www.dcsf.gov.uk/research.