Will Quince confirms that government is “going to look at regulations” in early years
By Rachel Lawler
Children and families minister Will Quince has confirmed that the government is planning to review early years “regulations” in comments made on BBC Radio 4.
Appearing on the Today programme, the minister was asked by presenter Nick Robinson about the high cost of childcare:
“Many people in your own party think that that’s because regulations are too tight; it should be easier to look after more children… Are you going to deregulate? Are you going to do something about the cost?”
Quince replied: “I am going to look at regulation and in part that’s because I need to see what is happening abroad, flying over to Sweden and France and the Netherlands and see how they do it differently.”
The comments have raised concerns within the sector that the government is again looking at revising staff:child ratios in early years settings.
Rewind on Ratios
In 2013, the Alliance’s Rewind on Ratios campaign successfully overturned plans to relax the ratios, led by then early years minister Liz Truss.
"Understandable concerns"
Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Alliance, commented: “It is beyond absurd for the government to look at deregulation as a solution to rising childcare costs.
“Many in the sector will be understandably concerned that this is code for relaxing ratios. This would be a disastrous and retrograde step for the sector, especially in light of the fact that now more than ever, children need more individual care and education to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on their education and early development.
“What’s more, this admission came on the very same day as the government’s launch of its SEND review. How will any form of “deregulation” support the quality of care or help the sector to achieve any meaningful SEND reform?
“Early years providers across the country pride themselves on being able to offer world-class care and education, so why is our government looking to other countries to find examples of lower standards that we can imitate? The fact is that the problems facing our sector cannot be solved without a fundamental rethink of early years funding, and the sooner ministers accept this, the better.
“The sector is being pushed to the brink, with many providers having no option but to close permanently. By looking at how the sector is regulated, the government has missed the mark entirely and is wasting vital time and resources that could be used to review early years funding and the long-term future of the sector.”