Alliance responds to appointment of David Johnston as children, families and wellbeing minister

The Early Years Alliance has issued a comment following the news that David Johnston has been appointed as children, families and wellbeing minister.

Commenting, Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, said:

"We welcome David Johnston as the new minister for children, families, and wellbeing and look forward to working with him in his new role.

"There's no question that Mr Johnston takes on this role at a crucial and challenging time for the sector. Not only are providers preparing themselves for the biggest expansion of the early entitlement in recent history but the sector is facing its most difficult time in decades, with nurseries, pre-schools and childminders closing their doors in record numbers and educators leaving the sector in their droves."

"We hope that David Johnston can be both an advocate for the early years sector and ensure that, at an incredibly important time for the sector, it is at the very top of the government's priority list."