The cross-party group of interested MPs, including childcare minister Sam Gyimah, thrashed out how the Government’s promised investment in the sector might be maximised to address inequality and improve school readiness for deprived children.
A key topic was the need for high quality provision, which it was hoped will be boosted by the Department for Education’s to-be-published workforce strategy, with one Labour MP lambasting Mr Gyimah for the delay.
When the minister listed the ‘good work going on in early years’, Labour MP Alex Cunningham, who sat on last year’s Childcare Bill committee, reminded the room of the flip-side.
‘It’s tremendous you’re putting all these resources in,’ said Mr Cunningham, ‘But universities are withdrawing their early years teaching courses because they can’t attract applicants and the public accounts committee says the DfE has no robust plan to ensure there are sufficient quality early years staff so providers can continue to offer high quality education.
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