Alliance comments on latest 新澳门六合彩官网开奖 childcare statistics

9th July 2015

The Pre-school Learning Alliance has welcomed the latest early years inspection statistics, published by 新澳门六合彩官网开奖 today, which show that 85% of childcare providers were rated 鈥榞ood鈥 or 鈥榦utstanding鈥 as of 31 March 2015, up from 78% the previous year.

Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Alliance, said:

鈥淭hese figures are a direct result of the hard work and dedication of early years practitioners. Despite underfunding and diminishing local authority support, providers continue to deliver high-quality care and education to children and families and for this, the sector is to be congratulated. It is vital that going forward, providers are given the support they need - both financial and practical - to continue delivering quality services, and so adequate investment into the sector will be crucial to ensuring that this positive trend continues in the long term."

However, Neil also voiced concerns about the fact that the number of childminders operating in the sector has continued to decline, saying:

鈥淐hildminders play a crucial role in the provision of high-quality, flexible early education and care, and so it is deeply concerning that they are continuing to decline in number.

鈥淎t a time when the government is looking to expand early years services in this country, it is vital that the value of the services that childminders offer is recognised and that they are supported and encouraged to continue providing them.鈥

For further information or to interview, Neil Leitch, Chief Executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance please contact:
Shannon Hawthorne
Pre-school Learning Alliance
T: 020 7697 2503
E: Shannon Hawthorne

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Notes for editors

  1. The Pre-school Learning Alliance is the largest voluntary sector provider of quality affordable childcare and education in England.
  2. 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.
  3. For information about the Pre-school Learning Alliance, visit our website:

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