Source · Select Committees · Petitions Committee
Recommendation 20
20
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 108
We have heard about systemic problems in the funding of childcare before the pandemic.
Recommendation
We have heard about systemic problems in the funding of childcare before the pandemic. Just before the outbreak, we debated a petition which expressed concerns about how many parents struggled to afford childcare. Covid-19 has put a huge strain on the childcare sector at the same time as highlighting how crucial it is for the country and economy. A lot of parents have had to change childcare plans or are unable to access childcare given the reduced capacity of the sector. These parents The impact of Covid-19 on maternity and parental leave 61 need to be supported in the short term to allow them to keep their jobs, while doing the most important job of all: caring for their children. To meet these challenges, both immediate and systemic, the Government should: i) Conduct an urgent short-term review of funding for the childcare sector to ensure that it survives the current crisis, and if required, provide emergency funding to the childcare sector to ensure that there are sufficient childcare places for parents due to return to work. ii) Consider an independent review of childcare provision, including the lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic, to ensure that future Government funding is effective and that the sector is sustainable and works for all in the long term.
Government Response Summary
The government addresses the short-term funding aspect by highlighting ongoing work, existing support schemes (CJRS, SEISS), continued funding for free childcare hours, and a commitment to fund local authorities at pre-pandemic levels for the autumn term. However, the response does not address the recommendation for an independent long-term review of childcare provision.
Paragraph Reference:
108
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
Like other areas of business, the early years sector has been significantly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the uncertainty created by the pandemic, the sector has worked hard to provide high quality childcare for vulnerable children and children of critical workers throughout. The Government has acted swiftly to support the sector as outlined previously in this response. The Department for Education has been in continual contact with early years sector organisations, including directly with early years providers and provider representative bodies, as well as local government, throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. The Department gathers and publishes regular information on childcare, including reports on the cost of delivering childcare and on the provider market. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department has introduced and published new data collections to ensure there is up to date information on the number of early years providers that are open and closed, as well as the number of pre-reception children attending early years settings. Therefore, the Government does not consider that an independent review of childcare provision is 18 The impact of Covid-19 on maternity and parental leave: Government Response needed. The Department for Education continues to monitor and work with the sector. Future Government funding for childcare will be considered at the forthcoming spending review. Government has published guidance around how premises and businesses, such as such as baby and toddler groups, can operate. The guidance can be found at: https://www.gov. uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close