Alliance comments on the re-appointment of Sam Gyimah as childcare minister

12th May 2015

Commenting on the re-appointment of Sam Gyimah as childcare minister, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, said:

“We welcome the opportunity to continue working closely with the minister to tackle the challenges facing the early years sector and build a childcare system that delivers high-quality care to the children and families that need it.

“With the government set to proceed with its pledge to extend the free entitlement offer for three- and four-year-olds to 30 hours, it’s now vital that the Department for Education engages fully with the sector to ensure that the plans are properly funded, and we look forward to working closely with Mr Gyimah on the implementation of a full and comprehensive review of the funding rates, as promised pre-election.

“Given the government’s recent shift towards a more formal, ‘schoolified’ early years sector, we also hope that Mr Gyimah will welcome and encourage open and honest conversation with the sector on the best approach to early years provisions, and work collaboratively with providers to develop a childcare system that delivers quality, age-appropriate learning opportunities.”

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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