Alliance reacts to Labour's early years proposals

The Early Years Alliance has issued a comment following the announcement of the Labour Party's early years proposals as part of its  speech earlier today, which forms one of the party's  "Five Missions For a Better Britain".

These proposals include:

  • A commitment to work with the early years and childcare sector to ensure professionals are better recognised, provided and provided with training opportunities
  • Removing legislative barriers to make it easier for local authorities to open new early years and childcare provision
  • A commitment that half a million more children will reach the early learning goals by 2030

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

鈥淚t is positive to see that Labour has recognised that the early years sector is not only in urgent need of support but that it should also be valued and recognised as a crucial part of the education system.  

鈥淓ngland鈥檚 early years sector is facing an extremely challenging time, with settings closing at an alarming rate and educators leaving in their droves. As such, it is absolutely right to focus on the workforce and the importance of providing high-quality education.  

鈥淭hat said, given that much of the sector鈥檚 challenging stem from years of underfunding, ensuring that whatever model of delivery Labour opts to pursue is adequately funded must be central to any long-term plan for the sector.   

鈥淎s such, we hope that today鈥檚 proposals are a starting point for Labour鈥檚 plans for the early years, and that the party strives to actively engage with the sector to ensure any potential policies eases pressure on providers, rather than simply piling more on.鈥