The education select committee will hear from academics and economists tomorrow (18 April), who will evaluate how effective the reforms will be at enabling parents to return to work, and how they will impact the early years sector.
MPs will ask experts to comment on changes announced last month in Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt’s Budget, which included a controversial relaxation of staff:child ratios in early years settings, an expansion of the 30-free-hours childcare policy, and the offer of incentive payments for new childminders.
Experts will also be quizzed by MPs on how quickly providers will be able to meet demand following the expansion of free childcare places, and the potential effect of these reforms on outcomes in disadvantaged areas.
Witnesses are expected to include Birgitta Rabe, professor of economics at the Institute for Social and Economic Research, Christine Farquharson, associate director at the Institute of Fiscal Studies, and Eva Lloyd, director at the International Centre for the Study of the Mixed Economy of Childcare, University of East London.
Other experts attending include deputy director of think-tank Onward Adam Hawksbee, early years lead at the Education Policy Institute Dr Tammy Campbell, and director of research and head of education and science at the Policy Exchange, Iain Mansfield.
Robin Walker MP, chair of the education committee, said: “We want to hear a range of views on the Chancellor’s childcare announcements.
"For panel one we have invited academics and economists from universities and think tanks to react to the budget and its impact on the provider market. In the second panel we will ask questions about the staff-to-child ratios, the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, staff qualifications, child benefits and alternative funding arrangements.”
The evidence session comes as part of the committee’s ongoing inquiry into the problems facing the childcare and early years sector, which is investigating the effectiveness of different funding entitlements, how accessible childcare currently is for families, and recruitment and retention challenges.
The session will be streamed live from 10am on Parliament TV.
