Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Fifth Report - Support for childcare and the early years
Education Committee
HC 969
Published 26 July 2023
Recommendations
5
Accepted in Part
Para 39
Consider greater ring-fencing of Early Years block for local authority Dedicated Schools Grants
Recommendation
We recommend the Government consider the case for greater ring-fencing of the Early Years block of each local authority’s Dedicated Schools Grant to ensure that more is passed on to the early years providers who are delivering the funded hours …
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Government Response Summary
The government commits to increasing the minimum pass-through rate for early years funding to 97% once the new entitlements are sufficiently rolled out. They currently require local authorities to pass on at least 95% of funding and are consulting on setting this rate on individual funding streams for 2024-25.
Department for Education
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9
Accepted in Part
Remove barriers and introduce incentives to grow the childminder market
Recommendation
We recommend the Government work to remove or reduce the barriers preventing childminders setting up or continuing in businesses and consider developing more incentives to grow this market. It could do this, for example, by a) Allowing childminders to work …
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Government Response Summary
The government commits to providing a new childminder start-up grant fund of up to £7.2 million over two years, offering £1200 for agency-registered and £600 for Ofsted-registered childminders. It has also launched a consultation exploring further flexibilities, workforce support, and a new childminder-specific EYFS framework, but does not commit to all specific examples listed.
Department for Education
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11
Accepted in Part
Para 94
Streamline funded hours entitlement system and reduce eligibility reconfirmation to annually
Recommendation
We recommend that the funded hours entitlement system be made more streamlined. For example, parents should be able to access childcare as soon as they receive an 74 Support for childcare and the early years eligibility code. The requirement for …
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Government Response Summary
DfE is exploring options for simplifying the application process and improving the user experience for parents accessing childcare entitlements and will review the frequency of reconfirmation alongside the roll out of the new entitlements.
Department for Education
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16
Accepted in Part
Para 99
Conduct fundamental review of tax-free childcare and launch public awareness campaign
Recommendation
The Government must do much more to ensure the support available for tax-free childcare is better understood and easier to access. We recommend HM Treasury conduct a fundamental review of tax-free Childcare with a view to making it simpler and …
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Government Response Summary
The government has committed an additional £1.2 million to an ongoing Childcare Choices marketing campaign to improve awareness of existing support. However, they do not commit to a fundamental review of Tax-Free Childcare to simplify its use, as recommended.
Department for Education
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17
Accepted in Part
Para 100
Expand national Family Hub rollout, commit to longer-term funding, and boost specific SEND family support.
Recommendation
We recommend the Government expand the Family Hub model and commit to longer-term funding. We would like to see a national rollout of family hubs at the earliest possible opportunity. In particular, the £50m fund for ‘Parenting Support’ and the …
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Government Response Summary
The government is investing £300 million to enable 75 local authorities to create family hubs, including £50 million for parenting support, which partially addresses the call for expansion and funding without committing to a national rollout or specific fund increases.
Department for Education
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25
Accepted in Part
Para 153
Engage Local Authorities to provide affordable and flexible mandatory training for early years professionals.
Recommendation
We recommend the Government engage with Local Authorities and seek to address the cost of mandatory training required by early years professionals, such as paediatric first aid and safeguarding courses. Local Authorities should work towards providing 76 Support for childcare …
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Government Response Summary
The government commits to engaging with local authorities to assess the availability, accessibility, and associated costs of mandatory safeguarding and welfare training for early years professionals, but does not commit to providing free or heavily reduced training or greater timing flexibility.
Department for Education
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26
Accepted in Part
Para 154
Develop a comprehensive Early Years Strategy, expanding the Early Career Framework and promoting National Professional Qualifications.
Recommendation
We recommend the Government ensure that the early years Sector is seen to be, and feels itself to be, a valued profession. To achieve this, we recommend the Government develop a comprehensive Early Years Strategy with a strong focus on …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of workforce development and engagement but states there are currently no plans to expand the Early Career Framework to the early years sector. However, it is promoting and fully funding the National Professional Qualification in Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL), working to encourage take-up in PVI settings, and continues to engage with the sector.
Department for Education
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32
Accepted in Part
Increase Early Years Pupil Premium and widen eligibility for low-income children needing SEND support.
Recommendation
We recommend the Government increase the Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) to match that in primary schools and widen the eligibility criteria so that more children from very low income families can access much needed extra support for any special …
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Government Response Summary
The government is proposing to extend EYPP eligibility by age to all children from 9 months to 4 years old from April 2024, if they meet other criteria. However, it is not proposing to change other eligibility criteria or increase the premium to match primary schools.
Department for Education
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