Alliance comments on cross-sector call for more government support for the childcare sector ahead of Spending Review

Commenting, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said: 

"We all know that nurseries, pre-schools and childminders in England were already struggling long before the coronavirus pandemic hit as a result of years of underfunding. As such, it can be of no surprise to anyone in government that following months of huge income losses during lockdown, and continued low levels of parental demand for places, the childcare sector is now on the brink of a full-blown crisis.

"With so many organisations from across the education, business and family support sectors all calling for more to be done to support our vital sector, it's clear that ministers cannot continue to ignore this issue any longer. 

"If the government truly cares about supporting families to access early years care and education, it simply must provide the investment that providers need, both to survive this incredibly difficult period in the short term and to continue delivering quality, affordable and sustainable provision in the long term."