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Election 2019: Early years policy 'arms race' ignores providers, say campaigners

2 mins read Early Years
Political parties are indulging in a "game of one-upmanship" in their bids to extend free childcare - without factoring in the impact on providers, campaigners have warned.
Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner announced Labour proposals to open 1,000 Sure Start centres. Picture: Parliament.uk
Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner announced Labour proposals to open 1,000 Sure Start centres. Picture: Parliament.uk

Over the weekend, the Liberal Democrats pledged 35 hours for children as young as nine months old, in working families.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party confirmed its early years election pledge to extend the 30 hours per week offer to all children aged two to four.

Leader Jeremy Corbyn also said a Labour government would invest £1bn in the Sure Start programme, opening 1,000 centres, adding some detail to an earlier announcement from shadow education secretary Angela Rayner.

This would restore numbers to peak levels before they went into decline under the Conservatives.

Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said that while more support with childcare costs is good news for struggling parents, "the lack of detail on how it will be funded will strike fear into the hearts of many providers".

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