Alliance calls for greater investment into two-year-old
17th June 2014
The Pre-school Learning Alliance has called on the government to increase investment into the two-year-old free entitlement offer, following the release of figures that show that 44% of local councils do not expect to have enough places available by the scheduled extension of the scheme in September, while 64% have not yet secured sufficient places in ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ provision for those currently eligible for the offer.
Commenting on the news, Alliance chief executive Neil Leitch said:
“We are greatly concerned to hear of such a substantial shortfall in two-year-old places less than three months before the expansion of the scheme. All children should have access to high-quality early years provision, and this is particularly vital for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“The continued lack of adequate government funding is putting the long-term sustainability of the two-year-old offer at risk. The majority of early years providers delivering funded places do not receive enough funding to cover costs, and so it’s not surprising that local authorities are struggling to meet the government’s targets. Our recent Early Years Agenda survey revealed that a number of providers are limiting the number of places offered under the scheme — or, in some cases, are unable to offer any places — due to the lack of adequate funding.
“The government cannot simply label this a problem for local authorities. It is their responsibility to deliver on the promise they made to deliver sufficient high-quality funded places by September 2014 and to do so, they simply must invest more.”
Neil also rejected suggestions that the problem of the shortfall could be tackled by placing more two-year-olds in schools. He commented:
“The government may see pushing two-year-olds into schools as a quick and easy solution to this problem, but it is simply not what is best for these children. 81% of Early Years Agenda survey respondents opposed plans to encourage schools to take two-year-olds, arguing that school environments are not appropriate for children of such a young age — and we share these concerns.
“High-quality childcare cannot be delivered on the cheap. If the government wants to ensure that these children are given the best start in life, they need to provide greater support for the existing network of experienced, age-appropriate group settings and childminders to deliver these places.”
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Notes for editors
- The Pre-school Learning Alliance is the largest voluntary sector provider of quality affordable childcare and education in England.
- Through direct provision and its membership of 14,000 nurseries, sessional pre-schools and parent and toddler groups, the Alliance supports over 800,000 children and their families in England. The Alliance also develops and runs family learning programmes, offers information and advice, runs acclaimed training and accreditation programmes and campaigns to influence early years policy and practice.
- For information about the Pre-school Learning Alliance, visit our website: