Home / Sources / Select Committees / Education Committee / Support for childcare and the early yea…
Index live · Last sync 22 May 2026
Select Committee · Education Committee

Support for childcare and the early years

Status: Closed Opened: 15 Dec 2022 Closed: 23 Nov 2023 24 recommendations 8 conclusions 1 report

The Education Committee has launched an inquiry into support for childcare and the early years. The inquiry will examine how easy to navigate the current childcare system is for parents and carers, and whether current childcare entitlements are providing families with affordable and flexible childcare. The Committee will assess the effectiveness of the different funding …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fifth Report - Support for childcare and the early years HC 969 26 Jul 2023 32 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

2 items
18 Recommendation Fifth Report - Support for childcare an… Deferred

Make parents in training or education eligible for the 30-hours childcare entitlement.

We recommend the Government make parents in training or education eligible to claim the 30-hours entitlement. This will support single parents who need to retrain to secure more flexible work, and also support parents who are trying to re-enter the Support for childcare and the early years 75 workforce after …

Government response. The government will consider making parents in training eligible to claim the 30-hours entitlement and DWP will keep policies under review to support single parents.
Department for Education
31 Recommendation Fifth Report - Support for childcare an… Deferred

Review and digitise Early Years SENIF application process, ensuring funding reflects specialist care costs.

We recommend the Government work with local authorities to address the huge delays in Early Years SEN Inclusion Fund (SENIF) funding by reviewing the application process for providers. Similar approaches to the Education Health and Care Plan reforms should be considered, such as standardising and digitise elements of the Support …

Government response. The government is reviewing the operation of SEN Inclusion Funds and working with stakeholders to identify improvements for better outcomes and appropriate funding arrangements, in line with the SEND and AP Improvement Plan.
Department for Education

Oral evidence sessions

5 sessions
Date Witnesses
9 May 2023 Claire Coutinho · Department for Education, Susie Owen · Department for Education View ↗
18 Apr 2023 Adam Hawksbee · Onward, Christine Farquharson · Institute for Fiscal Studies, Dr Tammy Campbell · Education Policy Institute, Iain Mansfield · Policy Exchange, Professor Birgitta Rabe · Institute for Social and Economic Success, Professor Eva Lloyd · International Centre for the Study of the Mixed Economy of Childcare, University of East London View ↗
21 Mar 2023 Jane Harris · Speech and Language UK, Joeli Brearley · Pregnant Then Screwed, Jolanta Lasota · Ambitious about Autism, Mary Mulvey-Oates · Contact, Mrs Anne Fennell · Mothers at Home Matter, Victoria Benson · Gingerbread View ↗
21 Feb 2023 Dr Julian Grenier CBE · Sheringham Nursery School and Children's Centre, East London, Emma Gardner · Early Years and Childcare, Spring by Action for Children, Gemma Rolstone · Puffins Childcare, Devon, Kara Jewell · Sparkle Lodge Early Years, Portsmouth, Professor Celia Greenway · University of Birmingham View ↗
31 Jan 2023 Helen Donohoe · PACEY (Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years), Laura Barbour · The Sutton Trust, Megan Jarvie · Coram Family and Childcare, Neil Leitch OBE · Early Years Alliance View ↗

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
25 Oct 2023 — Correspondence to the Treasury following responses to funding recommendations m…