Early years chiefs say government's dismissal of childcare funding petition 'beggars belief'

Leaders from the Early Years Alliance and National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) have reacted angrily saying it “beggars belief” that the government will not be 'planning a review of early years funding’ after thousands sign a petition.

The petition which has attracted over 111,000 signatures called for an independent review to ‘explore what the government needs to do to ensure the country has a childcare sector that works for families, children and the economy.’

The petition states childcare workers are paid so badly that one in 10 are officially living in poverty and because of a lack of funding, 'this has resulted in 2,087 childcare settings closing in England in the first three months of 2021 when provision was already low'.

However, the government responded by stating 'The Government is not currently planning a review of the childcare system. Support is available to help with childcare costs, and the Government monitors the sustainability of childcare providers.

'We know that the cost of childcare is a key concern for parents which is why the government has made an unprecedented investment in childcare over the past decade.'

Neil Leitch, Early Years Alliance chief executive, reacted saying: “It beggars belief at a time when hundreds of nurseries, pre-schools and childminders are closing every month, the government is refusing to commit to even conducting a review of early years funding.

"Only last week, we released private government documents which prove that the government has not only been knowingly underfunding the sector for years but that they knew this would increase prices for parents and put quality at risk. Any claims, therefore, about ‘unprecedented investment into the early years’ can only be seen as wholly disingenuous."

He added: “The dismissal of this petition is incredibly short-sighted and shows a total disregard for our vital sector. Given the strength of feeling on this issue, not only from providers but increasingly from parents as well, we urge the government to urgently reconsider this indefensible stance.”

’We have provided a groundswell of research, but the government still refuses to engage with these problems’

The government said: 'We have spent over £3.5bn in each of the past three years on our early education entitlements and the government continues to support families with their childcare costs. The Chancellor announced on 25 November 2020 a £44 million investment for 2021-22, for local authorities to increase hourly rates paid to childcare providers for the government’s free childcare entitlement offers.'

The government added that 'in February 2021, a further £10m for a pre-reception early language recovery programme to support early years staff in settings, and in June, a further investment of up to £153 million over three academic years was announced, including funding for training early years staff to support the very youngest children’s learning and development’.

Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of NDNA, also criticised the government's response, saying: “This disappointing response yet again shows a government failure to recognise the huge pressure the sector has been under during the pandemic and the strength of feeling from parents and providers alike.

“We have provided a groundswell of research and evidence along with other organisations and government committees, but the government still refuses to engage with these problems.

“It is positive news that the Petitions Committee will be looking into this issue further and has commissioned a survey of parents and providers. We will be encouraging our members to take part and hope for a constructive debate of this issue shortly in Parliament.”

The Petitions Committee has selected the petition to be the subject of parliamentary debate, however, the date is yet to be confirmed.

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