CYP Now: From a provider perspective, is the funded childcare programme sustainable?
June O’Sullivan: I wish I could just say yes or no but it depends on so many factors. Some people will say no because we’ve been underfunded for so long that it’s very difficult, but at the same time we still managed to do stuff. So technically it would make a lot of difference to us if we were properly funded then we could really ensure it was sustainable. But what do we mean by sustainable? Is it sustainable so you can pay dividends to private equity-funded large chains? Or is it sustainable so that children from disadvantaged homes get as equal access to the service as their more affluent peers? High-quality early education and care makes a significant difference to a lot of children, but a huge difference to children from a more disadvantaged background.
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
Already have an account? Sign in here
