Alliance comments on new childcare funding call for evidence

15th June 2015

Commenting on the government’s call for evidence to inform the upcoming review into the cost of providing childcare, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, said:

“We warmly welcome the call for evidence on early years funding, which will give providers a much-needed opportunity to share their views and experiences with government. Having previously dismissed its findings, we also hope that the Department for Education will also take this as an opportunity to take into account the independent report into the free entitlement offer commissioned by the Alliance last year, which found that the existing schemes are underfunded by around 20% on average.

“Looking ahead, we believe that it’s vital that this review is used to ensure that the early years sector is adequately funded in the long term. A one-off funding increase may make for positive headlines, but will do very little to address the serious problems around business sustainability currently facing providers. As such, we look forward to contributing to the review and ensuring that it is fair, open and comprehensive.”

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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