Early years policies will be 'make or break for the sector,' Alliance warns

The Early Years Alliance has issued a comment ahead of tomorrow's Budget on 15 March, outlining what the early years sector needs to see announced. 

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

“The Budget must include significant and targeted investment in England’s early years sector. Anything less and the sector simply won’t survive. 

“What’s more, any plans to relax ratios must be quashed. It is the last thing both the sector and families need. Not only will this ill-thought-out and ridiculous policy completely fail to lower costs for parents, it will undoubtedly result in a mass exodus of experienced and highly skilled educators at a time when staff are already leaving in droves.  

“Year after year and Budget and Budget, the sector’s priorities have been completely ignored and now we have reached crisis point. If the government is serious about supporting children and families, tomorrow must be the first step in reversing this. Whatever is or isn’t announced, it will be make or break for the sector.”