Select Committee · Education Committee
Early Years: Improving Support for Children and Families
Status: Open
Opened: 19 May 2026
Early years safeguarding Safeguarding in early years sector: Education Committee launches additional call for evidence The Education Committee has expanded its ongoing inquiry into the early years sector to examine how safeguarding can be strengthened in nurseries and all forms of care of young children. It follows recent high-profile cases of children being abused by … Show more
Oral evidence sessions
| Date | Witnesses | |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Jul 2026 | Chris Armstrong-Stacey · Department for Education, Olivia Bailey MP · Department for Education | View ↗ |
| 30 Jun 2026 | Christine Farquharson · Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), Dr Samantha Callan OBE · Family Hubs Network, Eavan Mckay · National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Child (NSPCC), Sir David Holmes CBE · Family Action | View ↗ |
| 9 Jun 2026 | Justine Roberts CBE · Mumsnet, Rachel Grocott · Pregnant Then Screwed, Sarah Ronan · Early Education and Childcare Coalition | View ↗ |
| 10 Feb 2026 | Ann Graham · Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS), Clare Reid · Early Years Alliance, Clare Roberts OBE · National Partnership in Early Learning and Childcare, Jayne Coward · Ofsted, Mike Short · UNISON | View ↗ |
| 9 Dec 2025 | Beatrice Merrick · Early Education, Ka Lai Brightley-Hodges · Coram PACEY, Neil Leitch OBE · Early Years Alliance, Purnima Tanuku CBE · National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) | View ↗ |
| 11 Nov 2025 | Dr Tammy Campbell · Education Policy Institute, Lydia Hodges · Coram Family and Childcare, Professor Eva Lloyd · The University of East London (UEL), Sarah Tillotson · Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) | View ↗ |
Who gave evidence
| Witness | Organisation | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Graham · Director of Children's Services Haringey Council | Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) | 1 |
| Beatrice Merrick · Chief Executive | Early Education | 1 |
| Chris Armstrong-Stacey · Director for Early Years | Department for Education | 1 |
| Christine Farquharson · Associate Director | Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) | 1 |
| Clare Reid · Children’s Services Director | Early Years Alliance | 1 |
| Clare Roberts OBE · Founder and Chief Executive of Kids Planet | National Partnership in Early Learning and Childcare | 1 |
| Dr Samantha Callan OBE · Director and Co-Founder | Family Hubs Network | 1 |
| Dr Tammy Campbell · Co-Director for Early Years, Inequalities and Wel… | Education Policy Institute | 1 |
| Eavan Mckay · Policy and Public Affairs Manager | National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Child (NSPCC) | 1 |
| Jayne Coward · Deputy Director for Early Years Regulatory Policy… | Ofsted | 1 |
| Justine Roberts CBE · founder and CEO | Mumsnet | 1 |
| Ka Lai Brightley-Hodges · Head | Coram PACEY | 1 |
| Lydia Hodges · Head | Coram Family and Childcare | 1 |
| Mike Short · Head of local government and education | UNISON | 1 |
| Neil Leitch OBE · Chief Executive | Early Years Alliance | 1 |
| Olivia Bailey MP · Minister for Early Education | Department for Education | 1 |
| Professor Eva Lloyd · Emeritus Professor of Early Childhood | The University of East London (UEL) | 1 |
| Purnima Tanuku CBE · Executive Chair | National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) | 1 |
| Rachel Grocott · CEO | Pregnant Then Screwed | 1 |
| Sarah Ronan · Executive Director | Early Education and Childcare Coalition | 1 |
| Sarah Tillotson · Early Years Lead | Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) | 1 |
| Sir David Holmes CBE · CEO | Family Action | 1 |