CYP Now - Reform funding for struggling early years sector, MPs urge

The government is being urged to overhaul funding for early years to ensure providers are paid fairly and can effectively help children recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

MPs have written to Chancellor Rishi Sunak calling for multi-year investment in the early years. Picture: Adobe Stock

The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Childcare and Early Education wants to see funding shortages addressed in the government’s spending review.

The cross-party group wants the review to provide a ‘catch-up’ premium of £2,964 per child each year under the 30 hours free entitlement to tackle a shortfall in funding.

The APPG has written to chancellor Rishi Sunak and education secretary Gavin Williamson calling for improvements to funding.

Evidence they have presented includes Early Years Alliance data showing a shortfall of £2.60 per child, per hour for every 30-hours place they provide.

Also being called for is a funding plan for early years that helps providers plan over a number of years.

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