Sam Gyimah reappointed as childcare minister

Announcing the news on Twitter, Gyimah said he will remain as parliamentary under secretary of state, and has also been handed “broader responsibilities” within the DfE.

"Delighted to be reappointed as childcare and education minister," he said.

On hearing the news, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, urged Gyimah to ensure he works closely with the early years sector on government plans to expand free universal childcare entitlement for three- and four-year-olds from 15 to 30 hours-a-week.

“We welcome the opportunity to continue working closely with the minister to tackle the challenges facing the early years sector and build a childcare system that delivers high-quality care to the children and families that need it," Leitch said.

“With the government set to proceed with its pledge to extend the free entitlement offer for three- and four-year-olds to 30 hours, it’s now vital that the DfE engages fully with the sector to ensure that the plans are properly funded.

"We look forward to working closely with Mr Gyimah on the implementation of a full and comprehensive review of the funding rates, as promised pre-election.

He also called on Gyimah to ensure the sector is consulted on any further reform in early years around “the government’s recent shift towards a more formal, schoolified early years sector.”

As a result of ongoing ministerial appointments being made by Prime Minister David Cameron, Nicky Morgan remains as Education Secretary and Edward Timpson has been promoted from parliamentary under secretary of state within the DfE to minister of state for children and families.

A spokeswoman for the DfE said Gyimah’s extra responsibilities have yet to be confirmed.