�°������ϲʹ�������

The Pre-school Learning Alliance has written an open letter to the Department of Education (DfE), expressing concerns over the continued lack of early years minister.

 

It has been nearly a month since Theresa May took over as prime minister and, while Justine Greening has been appointed education secretary, ministerial duties within the DfE are yet to be confirmed.

 

The letter, from chief executive of the Alliance, Neil Leitch, opens as follows:

 

“We recognise that allocation of ministerial responsibilities is not a process that should be rushed. However, the fact that, nearly a month after the government reshuffle, the early years sector is still without a governmental representative is unacceptable."

 

Neil continued to note that now is a crucial time for the early years sector.

 

“There is just over a year to go until the scheduled implementation of the 30-hour free entitlement offer, less than eight months to go until the promised implementation of a completely new funding system, and less than a month until the start of the pilots,” he said. “It remains unclear, however, how the government expects any progress on the roll-out of this scheme to be made without a dedicated minister.”

 

In light of the delay to the schools funding formula, announced just last week, Neil also voiced concerns about the viability of the 30-hour offer, stating that much of the success of the scheme relies on adequate funding.

 

“Despite being assured that new higher early years funding rates would be in place by April 2017, the promised consultation into a national early years funding formula hasn’t even been published,” Neil said.

 

“It is not right that early years providers have been left in limbo, with no leadership and no information to allow them to prepare for what is one of the most significant sector-wide changes in recent years.”

 

To read the letter in full please .