Alliance responds to EPI report calling on political parties to prioritise education in the lead-up to the general election
The Early Years Alliance has issued a comment following the release of a report published by the Education Policy Institute (EPI) which sets out a range of recommendations for political parties to take forward into the next general election.
This includes:
- Simplifying the early years funding system and weighting it towards children from low-income families and children with SEND.
- Implementing an early years strategy that will create a funding model that is sustainable for providers and affordable for families.
Commenting, Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, said:
"Education, and crucially the early years, must play a central role in any political party's manifesto in the lead up to the next general election and beyond. Anything less will not only dismiss the importance of the first five years of a child鈥檚 life, but completely underestimates the acute challenges the early years is facing.
"As the EPI鈥檚 report highlights, it鈥檚 clear that the existing early years funding system is not working. Not only are providers receiving funding that falls far short of what is needed to deliver high-quality care and education, but it is overly complex and fails to put the needs of both families and providers at the heart. As such, it is absolutely right for the EPI to call for a focus on simplifying funding, a long-term early years strategy and ensuring that every child, regardless of if they have additional needs or come from a disadvantaged background can easily access early years places.
鈥淗owever, regardless of which political party is in government next, any early years reform plans must not put further strain on a workforce that is already teetering on the brink. In addition, any policy proposals must ensure that the sector is a central voice in any decisions, both to safeguard the future of the sector and ensure that any changes benefit providers and families alike.鈥