Protestors march through city calling for urgent childcare reform

The Norwich branch of the March of the Mummies protest - where many attendees came clad in Halloween costumes - were some of the 15,000 estimated to have marched across the UK this weekend.

Speakers outside City Hall at the March of the Mummies protest in Norwich (Image: Maya Derrick)

Rebecca Wright, 34, is one of volunteer co-ordinators of the Norwich march and said: "I had a baby in January 2020 and returned during Covid. My work didn't understand why I would need to be at home sometimes."

Rebecca Wright rallying crowds at the March of the Mummies protest outside City Hall, Norwich (Image: Maya Derrick)

The Poringland mum added: "I had IVF, she's my only child.

"They didn't want to know about flexible working.

Protestors in Halloween fancy dress at the March of the Mummies protest in Norwich city centre (Image: Maya Derrick)

"Some parents question whether it's worth going back to work. I pay £560 a month for two days of childcare a week.

"If I was to put her in full-time, I would be paying more than my mortgage."

Protestors marching for better childcare provision in Norwich (Image: Maya Derrick)

Aisha Singleton spoke at City Hall and attended with her four-year-old son, Rex.

Aisha Singleton, speaker and protestor at Norwich's March of the Mummies protest on October 29 (Image: Maya Derrick)

"I want a world where childcare is affordable and where, as a society, we're looking after the next generation," she said.

"Childcare providers aren't paid enough. They need to be paid like school teachers.

Protestors demanding the end of the "motherhood penalty" (Image: Maya Derrick)

"The work they do is instrumental in keeping this country running."

Fellow volunteer and Poringland mother Lindsey Anderson, 34 added: "I work for Aviva and they have amazing benefits for parents. My husband got six months of fully-paid paternity leave which was so valuable.

Lindsey Anderson was at the march to campaign for equal parental rights now and for generations to come (Image: Maya Derrick)

"More employers need to offer that kind of benefit.

"I put my two-year-old son into nursery two days a week but with the cost of childcare makes it not worth me working anymore. It's nearly £70 a day."

Protestors at the March of the Mummies event in Norwich (Image: Maya Derrick)

Lynsey McCloskey attended the march with her two-year-old, Oliver, who is in childcare three days a week.

Lynsey McCloskey and her two-year-old son, Oliver (Image: Maya Derrick)

"Our childcare costs double our mortgage," she said.

"And it's only going to rise.

People in Norwich demanding better childcare provision in the city centre (Image: Maya Derrick)

"But childcare is drastically underfunded and they get paid so little for what they do. I entrust them with my only child.

"They don't see half of what we pay the nursery. The government needs to do something to fund it better."