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Commenting on the analysis of research carried out by the Alliance, which shows that a third of childcare providers in the most disadvantaged areas may be forced to close permanently due to financial difficult, chief executive of the Alliance Neil Leitch, said: 

“We are deeply concerned by these research findings showing that a lack of adequate government support could mean that a third of childcare providers in the most disadvantaged areas may be forced to close. 

“We have long warned that without urgent government financial support, many nurseries, pre-schools and childminders would be unable to stay afloat, and the Sutton Trust’s analysis of the our own survey data shows that it is those settings that serve families most in need of support that could be hit the hardest. 

“This risks causing significant harm to young children from the most deprived and vulnerable communities, who research has shown can benefit the most from quality early years education and care. 

“At a time when the government is making spending pledge after spending pledge, it is just unacceptable that the early years sector seems to have simply been forgotten. We urge the government to recognise the value of the sector, listen to our concerns, and provide the support we desperately need to survive this crisis and beyond.”

Editor notes 

• The Early Years Alliance is the largest and most representative early years membership organisation in England. A registered educational charity, it also provides high-quality affordable childcare and education to support children and families in areas of deprivation throughout the country.

• The Alliance represents 14,000 members and supports them to deliver care and learning to more than 800,000 families every year. We deliver family learning projects, offer information and advice, produce specialist publications, run acclaimed training programmes and campaign to influence early years policy and practice.

• The Alliance website is