Alliance issues fresh warning about upcoming early entitlement expansion as first phase of rollout begins
by Jess Gibson
The Alliance has issued a further warning about the upcoming early entitlement expansion as the first phase of the early entitlement rollout begins, calling the scheme “unworkable” if the government fails to commit to realistic, long-term funding.
From 1 April 2024, eligible families of two-year-olds will be able to access 15-hours of early education and childcare for 38 weeks of the year.
However, the Alliance has warned that the capacity and cost issues currently facing both parents and providers will be further compounded if the government doesn’t address the fundamental challenges facing the early years sector – including staff recruitment and retention, as well as underfunding.
Commenting Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, said: "If there is one thing that the first phase of the entitlement expansion has shown, it’s that simply promising more ‘free childcare’ is meaningless if you’re not willing to invest in the infrastructure needed to deliver it.
"As our own research shows, nurseries, childminders and pre-schools are already facing severe capacity challenges, with 68% of settings full before the expansion has even begun – and as a result, many have had no choice but to limit the number of new funded places they offer. It’s completely unsurprising, therefore, that many parents accessing a place for the first time have found it difficult - if not impossible - to do so.
"Meanwhile, a combination of sustained underfunding and minimum wage rises has forced many providers to increase fees at an even higher rate than normal just to stay afloat – meaning that even those parents who have been able to access places are likely to see sharp increases in the cost of any paid-for hours.
"With just five months to go until the next phase of the expansion, which is likely to result in an even greater increase in the demand for new places, it’s clear that urgent action is needed from government.
"For there to be any chance of this policy being rolled out successfully over the long term, ministers simply must tackle the fundamental problems facing the sector: that means adequate funding – so that settings can both keep prices low and offer the kind of wages that ensures that they can attract and keep quality staff – and a clear workforce strategy that focuses on retention as well as recruitment.
"Ministers have made a big promise to parents. Only by providing the support that the sector needs will they be able to keep it."