POLICY UPDATE
As we reach the midway point of the year, the early years remains firmly on the education policy agenda.
Alongside an ongoing review of CCTV and safeguarding in early years settings and new rules on safer sleep, last month, the government confirmed that it had asked the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to conduct a review into the early years market.
We are clear that despite the government’s rhetoric on the importance of the early years, the current funding system works against, rather than for, providers. Years of underfunding has meant that
many settings are left with no choice but to implement optional charges just to keep their doors open – and in contrast to many of the headlines about parents being hit with “hidden charges”, in the vast majority of cases, additional costs are clearly itemised in line with government regulation.
But rather than view the CMA review as an attack on or threat to the early years, perhaps we as a sector should see it as an opportunity. For many years now, we have argued that an independent review of the whole system was needed to highlight the impact of sustained inadequate funding is having on providers – and if the CMA decide to proceed, their work could achieve just that.
Neil Leitch, CEO, Early Years Alliance
Behind the scenes
Meeting with the Competition and Markets Authority
Alliance CEO Neil Leitch was pleased to attend an initial meeting with the CMA in early June, as part of their initial work into a potential review of the early years system.
During the meeting, CMA representatives highlighted a desire to engage fully with the early years sector as their work continues. We at the Alliance will continue to keep our members and the sector updated on any next steps as soon as we are able to.
Prioritising play
Last month, Alliance early years development officer Louise Campbell White attended a meeting of the APPG for Play in the House of Commons to give an overview of the Alliance’s upcoming National Week of Play, Books and beyond – bringing stories to life through imaginative play, which is taking place from Monday 29 June to Sunday 5 July.
Speaking to an audience of parliamentarians and early years and play organisations, Louise highlighted the value of play-based learning, as well as highlighting the support and resources that will be available to providers and families as part of this year’s event.
Not yet signed up for this year’s Play Week? Register for your free resource pack at bit.ly/U5-playweek.
Out and about
School-based nurseries
In June, Neil took part in a panel exploring the challenges associated with the government’s initiative to increase the number of school-based nurseries.
The panel marked the launch of the Room to Grow report by Sutton Trust and the Social Market Foundation, which found that just 20% of schools without nurseries plan to set one up in the future.
Neil spoke of the importance of collaboration between school-based settings and the private, voluntary and independent sector, and stressed the importance of tackling the fundamental issues facing the sector overall including recruitment, retention and funding.
Championing the early years workforce
Following the DfE introducing a cash bonus of £4,500 to incentivise early years graduates to work in deprived areas, Neil spoke to Good Morning Britain and ITV News about the long-standing challenges facing the sector.
He argued that "One person coming into an early years setting is not going to do it. What we need to do is invest in the entire workforce,” and reiterated the Alliance’s call on government to ensure that all educators – whether graduate or not – are paid a fair wage.
Under 5 magazine
The magazine of the Early Years Alliance