Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Accepted
Paragraph: 121
Prioritising childcare quantity over quality risks child development and widens disadvantage.
Conclusion
Where children are in Early Childhood Care and Education, it should be a high- quality, safe and supportive environment. ECEC should primarily be for the benefit of children. Prioritising the ‘quantity’ of available childcare to get parents back to work over the ‘quality’ of that childcare risks damaging children’s development and widening the disadvantage gap. Increasing the availability, quality and affordability of childcare will be the only way to ensure parental buy in and take up.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of high-quality, safe early childhood care, stating that its reforms are underpinned by this principle and highlighting existing measures like the EYFS framework, its 2021 reforms, and investment in workforce quality.
Paragraph Reference:
121
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4. These reforms will be underpinned by provision that is high quality, safe, and meets the needs of children, including those with SEND and those most affected by the pandemic. The early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework sets the standards and requirements that all early years providers must follow to ensure every child has the best start in life and is prepared for school. In 2021, the department reformed the EYFS statutory framework to improve early years outcomes for all children, particularly disadvantaged children, in the critical areas that build the foundations for later success, such as language development and literacy. Standards of provision are high; as of June 2023, 96% of providers on the Early Years Register were rated Good or Outstanding–up from 74% in 2012. 5. The high quality of our early years and childcare sector is a testament to the ongoing dedication and hard work of early years professionals. The Government has invested in improving the quality of the workforce, who make a huge contribution to young children’s lives.