Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Fifth Report - Support for childcare and the early years
Education Committee
HC 969
Published 26 July 2023
Government response
Sixth Special Report - Support for childcare and the early years: Government response to the Committee’s Fifth Report · published 17 Oct 2023
Recommendations & Conclusions
1
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 18
Spring Budget missed opportunity to reform tax-free childcare and enhance system flexibility
Conclusion
The Spring Budget announcements are a welcome sign that the Government has realised that urgent care and attention is needed in the childcare and early years education market. We particularly welcome the additional funding for Universal Credit entitlements and the …
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Government Response Summary
The government welcomes the report and acknowledges the committee's appetite for further system change. It highlights the significant investment and transformative reforms announced in the Spring Budget 2023, including increased Universal Credit entitlements and extended subsidised hours, as its commitment to improving childcare.
Department for Education
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14
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 97
Tax-free childcare offers flexible support; withdrawal not in parents' best interests
Conclusion
Despite some witnesses recommending the withdrawal of tax-free childcare and the use of the funding elsewhere, we recognise the benefits of the more flexible support it can provide, especially for wrap around care for school age children. Therefore, we do …
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Government Response Summary
The government details the existing range of childcare support, including Tax-Free Childcare, affirming its continuation in line with the committee's conclusion not to withdraw it.
Department for Education
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20
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 122
Robust evidence base for under-two early childhood education benefits remains undeveloped.
Conclusion
We note that there is less data about the benefits of formal ECEC on children under two years old as studies have focused on children who were receiving the funded entitlement. It will be important to ensure that there is …
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Government Response Summary
The government recognises the Committee’s recommendation and will continue to monitor the evidence base as they roll out the expansion of the entitlements.
Department for Education
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24
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Para 152
Make career development for early years practitioners an urgent priority to attract and retain staff.
Recommendation
Early years professionals are vitally important. We recommend career development for early years practitioners be made an urgent priority in order to attract and retain more people in the profession. We are concerned about lack of parity of esteem between …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of early years professionals and states that workforce support and career development remain a priority, outlining existing programmes and ongoing efforts to explore how best to recruit and retain staff, including funding training for up to 7,000 early years SENCOs.
Department for Education
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