The Labour Party has set out its plans to reform childcare provision, in a speech by Bridget Phillipson MP, the Shadow Education Secretary.
Anna Feuchtwang, Director of the National Children’s Bureau, said:
“I welcome Bridget Phillipson’s commitment to putting children’s early years at the heart of Labour’s programme for government. Childcare and early education plays a central role in closing the gap between children from poorer backgrounds and their peers, and we would see this as a key success measure of any future reforms.
“Alongside ensuring affordable choices for parents, central government must set the standards it expects for every child to thrive, and crucially fund this appropriately.
“We are ready to work with all political parties to develop a new vision of high-quality, affordable childcare that gives every child the best start in life.”