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Please find below a comment from the Early Years Alliance responding to the release of Coram's latest annual childcare costs survey.

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

“With just a fortnight to go until the rollout of the extended entitlement offer, this report raises serious questions about whether the expansion is even close to being workable in practice over the long term.

“Not only are parents facing surging early years costs, but the availability of places is plummeting at a time when they are needed more than ever. Despite the government's insistence that the new entitlement offers will be available to all eligible families, it's clear from this report that many councils remain concerned, particularly about future phases of the expansion, with 90% citing staffing challenges as a significant barrier to the rollout. 

Yet, is any of this really a surprise? While nurseries, pre-schools and childminders do their best to provide high-quality, affordable early education and care, years of neglect have left the sector in an utterly dire situation – and without the robust infrastructure needed to roll out the upcoming expansion.

"To say time is running out is an understatement. It is absolutely critical that government wakes up to the reality of the situation and takes the urgent action needed to support early years providers – namely, adequate funding and a clear workforce strategy that focuses on retention as well as recruitment. Ministers chose to make a big promise to families; it's up to them to ensure the sector is able to deliver on it."