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The Early Years Alliance has issued a comment following published by campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed which shows that, despite the early entitlement expansion, parents are still facing availability and cost challenges.

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

"Time and time again, the government has reassured parents that the early entitlement expansion will both be easy to access and result in significant savings for parents – but as Pregnant Then Screwed’s research shows, this couldn’t be further from the truth.  

"As today’s findings highlight, this policy is being implemented at the worst possible time for the sector. Even before it was announced, settings across the country were grappling with the effects of sustained underfunding and the worst staffing crisis in years. We at the Alliance remain entirely unconvinced that the funding and support announced since then will even come close to addressing these problems, never mind enabling the sector to deliver enough early years places to meet the likely surge in demand.  

"With the next phase of the expansion expected to create even greater challenges, the need for action has never been more urgent. If the government truly wants families to be able to benefit from accessible, affordable and quality care and education, it must commit to adequately funding and supporting the sector in the long term.”