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The Early Years Alliance has issued a comment on new research published by the Early Education and Childcare Coalition, of which the Alliance is a steering group member, and More in Common, showing that just 37% of parents of the under-fives are confident that childcare would improve after the election. The research also found that 64% of young families believe parties are not promising enough for families with children under five. The same proportion also said parties were not promising enough to bring down the cost of childcare. 

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

"Today’s research from the Early Education and Childcare Coalition reiterates just how vital it is for the next government to put the early years front and centre of their policy priorities.  

"Whichever party is in government on Friday, there is no denying the fact that they start their tenure at a critical time for the early years, with providers facing significant underfunding and staffing key challenges and the sector less than two months away from the next phase of the early entitlement expansion.

"There is no doubt, therefore, that substantially increased funding - both now and in the long term - and a comprehensive workforce strategy are key if the next government is to have any chance of ensuring that all families, regardless of their background or location, can benefit from affordable, high-quality early education and care."