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The Early Years Alliance has issued a comment in response to analysis from the TUC on early years and childcare costs. 

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

“Now more than ever the rising cost of early education is putting an enormous strain on families across the country and sadly, as TUC’s analysis shows, with the cost-of-living crisis the situation is going to get worse before it gets better.”  

“Every family should be able to afford early education, and early educators are doing all they can to make this happen, but when faced with years of severe underfunding and rising costs, many are left with no option but to increase fees just to stay afloat.  

“Research conducted by the Alliance earlier this year found that an overwhelming majority of providers said the funding they receive for so-called ‘free childcare’ places is less than the cost of delivering them. Even settings that received funding increases have warned that it won’t be enough to cover delivery costs. 

“Let’s be clear: these staggering cost rises are a direct result of the government’s decision to knowingly underfund the early years sector in England, and proposals to relax ratios will do little to address this issue.  

“How many more families need to be priced out the sector before the government listens, takes action and comes up with a long-term plan, and realistic funding for the early years sector?”