A number of childcare policies in the Lib Dems’ manifesto had already been announced, although the party went further than previously stated by promising to boost the free childcare entitlement to 20 hours a week.
It also reiterated its pledge to make free childcare available to all working parents from the end of paid parental leave at nine months. This is to be rolled out incrementally with 15 hours a week of free childcare to parents of all two-year-olds first and then the same level of entitlement to working parents of children aged between nine months and two years.
In addition, the Lib Dems stuck by the pledges made by David Laws last year to raise the early years pupil premium from its current level of £300 per pupil per year to £1,000, and to ensure that by 2020 all early years settings will employ at least one qualified early years teacher.
However, unlike the Conservative Party manifesto, there is no commitment from the Lib Dems to review early years entitlement funding for providers.
Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, said: “We are disappointed that it has chosen not to commit to a review of existing early years funding shortfalls.
“Given that government funding currently only covers the cost of four out of every five places, protecting the early years budget against future cuts is only part of the solution. Addressing existing shortfalls, and ensuring that providers receive the level of funding needed to deliver high-quality places is vital to building an affordable, sustainable sector.”
The Lib Dems would also rein in academies and free schools, and have pledged to repeal legislation that all new state-funded schools must be free schools or academies.
The party wants to extend free school meals to all primary school children, pending the outcome of a review into free school meals for infants that came into force last September.
For social care, the Frontline management training programme would be boosted so that it produces at least 300 graduate recruits each year, while better support and training for foster carers, including on mental health issues, is pledged.
It is also keen to promote greater use of restorative justice.
