Prioritising Children's Mental Health: How Employers Can Support Working Parents

The demands of modern parenting, combined with the pressures of work, are taking a toll on employees. The latest Modern Families Index reveals that nearly a third of UK working parents and carers experience high levels of stress (rating 8 or above on a 10-point scale), with 80% of them struggling to concentrate at work. Additionally, post-pandemic improvements in workplace support for working families have now eroded, leaving many parents feeling overwhelmed. 

The State of Childhood Report 2025 builds on these findings, highlighting four key concerns for working parents relating to their child’s wellbeing: educational development, social skills, physical health, and mental health. As parents increasingly look to their employers for support, there is a significant opportunity for organisations to step up and provide meaningful solutions, to support their employees and their families. 

In this article, we explore parents' key concerns and showcase how Bright Horizons’ solutions—from Back-Up Care and Virtual Tutoring to Employer-Sponsored Childcare and Work+Family Space—can help employers meet these needs effectively. 

Support with Children’s Mental Health and Back-Up Care Arrangements

Three quarters (75%) of working parents have concerns about their children’s mental health. Notably, parents with primary school children are looking to their employer for holiday camps, and for support with mental health. 

Without structured, engaging activities and reliable care during school holidays, children may experience increased anxiety and isolation, adding to parents’ concerns. This stress can impact both family wellbeing and employees’ productivity at work.

Bright Horizons offers a solution through our Back-Up Care solutions, which can help employers address these challenges. Offering access to over 1,450 holiday camps across the UK, employers can provide enriching, social environments where children can stay active and engaged, supporting their emotional wellbeing. Additionally, in-home care from professional nannies and care at Bright Horizons nurseries ensure children receive attentive, high-quality care, giving working parents peace of mind and support, even when regular care arrangements break down. This support fosters a long-term commitment to employee wellbeing, showing that the company cares about both the mental health of their employees' children, and their work-life balance. 

 Support with Educational Development and Catch-Up

70% of working parents feel concerned about their child’s educational development and catch-up needs, throughout preschool, primary years and right up to age 15. This is particularly prevalent for working parents with secondary school-aged children (aged 12-18 years), who wish for employer support for mental health, further education, tutoring, and other parenting challenges. Additionally, almost a third (32%) of parents with children aged 14-15 rate themselves as highly stressed. Bright Horizons’ Back-Up Care includes Virtual Tutoring for over 35 subjects from primary school to GCSEs and ‘A’ Level. With expert tutoring available for children, parents gain peace of mind and can focus on work, knowing that their child’s learning and education is in expert hands. Additionally, the dedicated parent portal enables parents to track progress and receive detailed feedback, ensuring they stay connected and informed about their child’s development without sacrificing their professional responsibilities.

Support with Childcare and Early Years Education

Nearly ¾ of parents with babies or preschoolers (aged 0-4) expect some kind of support in their parenting, or help for their child, from their employer. When asked about specific areas where they need help, ‘subsidised access to care and early years education’ and ‘support with the transition from early years/nursery to primary school’ were key priorities. 

Employer-sponsored childcare is a win-win solution—giving parents peace of mind while helping employers retain talent and reduce costs through tax and NI savings. 

Bright Horizons nurseries, conveniently located on-site or near workplaces, provide high-quality childcare under The Nurture Approach- a research-backed framework that fosters holistic learning, emotional wellbeing, and resilience—qualities that parents value most in their child’s development. Our Ready for School programme further supports children’s transition to primary school, helping working parents feel reassured that their child is prepared for future success. 

Need for Parenting Advice and Coaching

Interestingly, working parents are seeking employer-provided parenting advice and coaching even more than direct support for their own work-life balance. This reflects a growing need for guidance in navigating their children’s wellbeing, education, and development.

Bright Horizons’ Work+Family Space offers a comprehensive solution, giving employees 24/7 access to practical tips, personalised support, and expert insights via the ‘Speak to an Expert’ service. Whether parents need advice on supporting their child’s mental health, managing school transitions, addressing bullying, or fostering resilience, the platform provides a wealth of resources, including webinars, blogs, and 1:1 expert coaching. It gives working parents the tools they need to confidently support their children—reducing stress, improving focus at work, and reinforcing a culture of care and commitment in the workplace. 

Final Thoughts 

For employers, the message is clear: supporting working parents isn't just an added benefit—it’s a strategic advantage. As outlined in The UK Mental Health Report 2024 by Deloitte, working parents’ concerns for their children’s mental health cost employers around £8.3 billion annually. That’s an additional 16% on top of the £51 billion employers spent on employee mental health-related costs in 2023.

Ultimately, by addressing the growing concerns around children’s mental health, education, and overall wellbeing, companies can reduce parental stress, improve employee focus, and enhance workplace productivity. 

Organisations that take proactive steps to ease the mental load of working parents will not only create a more engaged and loyal workforce but also foster a culture of care and support. Investing in family-friendly benefits today is an investment in a healthier, more resilient workplace for the future. 

To explore how Bright Horizons can help your organisation support working parents, visit our website.