The Government’s mission to ensure that more children finish early education with a good level of development, has this week been backed by substantial extra funding.
The raise to the early years pupil premium is an important top-up to support children from low incomes. Funding for the childcare entitlement scheme is currently failing to meet the cost of delivery, which often prices out disadvantaged children. Therefore, this investment in pupil premium should support more childcare providers to meet their costs whilst supporting families on benefits and tax credits.
Similarly, the £75m expansion grant is a step in the right direction and will help recruit and train extra staff. But it falls short of the robust early years workforce strategy needed. We want a strategy that is created in consultation with the sector, and offers career and qualification pathways with an appropriate level of salary in recognition of the many responsibilities of early years staff.
Find out more about DfE's announcement here.