Early Education and Childcare Coalition marks full launch with release of polling data report and short film Further Together
by Jess Gibson
The Early Education and Childcare Coalition (EECC) has today marked its full official launch with the release of polling data on public attitudes to the early years sector alongside a short film, .
The EECC has been formed with the aim of using its collective voice alongside robust research to 鈥渂uild public and political support for a sector that underpins all of our lives鈥.
To mark its formal launch, the coalition has shared a new report: . The report, conducted by Claremont and More in Common for the EECC, found that a majority (51%) of UK voters believe that early education and childcare supports a child鈥檚 development and wellbeing, while almost two-thirds (59%) of voters think that good early years education benefits the whole country, not just parents. As a result, 42% of British voters state that childcare and early education reform will be key in their voting decision at the next general election.
The study also found that:
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40% of voters support investing taxpayers鈥 money in early education and childcare 鈥 a figure rising to 59% for those planning for children in future
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44% think childcare and early education professionals are underpaid, despite 49% stating well-trained staff were essential for high-quality early provision
Speaking on behalf of the Coalition, Sarah Ronan, acting director for the Early Education and Childcare Coalition, said: 鈥淩ight now, we have an opportunity to truly transform the future of early education and childcare through sustainable reform of the sector. Voters understand that we all benefit from an early education and childcare sector with the right investment. Politicians need to understand that, too and invest accordingly.鈥
Commenting, Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 positive to see that such a significant proportion of the general public recognises just how crucial quality early education and care is, not just for children and families, but the country as a whole.
鈥淎s we move ever closer to the next general election, it鈥檚 critical that politicians 鈥 from all political parties 鈥 understand this, too. For far too long, manifesto pledges and policies have focused on promising more and more 鈥榝ree childcare鈥, with no thought given to how to make this work in practice, rather than developing a clear and comprehensive plan to support providers to deliver high-quality, affordable and sustainable early education.
鈥淎s the coalition鈥檚 research shows, all political parties need to head into the next election with the early years at the heart of their respective policy agendas. Anything less will not only fail to persuade voters but, in the long run, put the future of the sector at risk.鈥