Opinion

Benefits of funded childcare need selling

1 min read Early Years Editorial
When searching for reasons for the low take-up of funded childcare for disadvantaged two-year-olds in England, debate has focused on whether providers are being adequately remunerated to create sufficient places.

Early years groups have pointed to the higher cost of providing care for two-year-olds compared with that for three- and four-year-olds as a key barrier to creating places (See Analysis).

A shortage of places is a factor in why only 72 per cent of eligible two-year-olds are taking up the offer, recent NatCen research concludes. Providers say the government needs to boost funding rates to better reflect their costs. This is only part of the solution. Until there is better quality provision in deprived areas, improved communication of the benefits of early education, and more flexibility in accessing the funded entitlements progress will be slow.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here


More like this