Nursery World - Government accused of turning children into 'numbers on a Treasury spreadsheet'

The Government has been accused of prioritising a desire to use more ‘free childcare’ as a means to boost the economy over and above the needs of young children

Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, was speaking at their virtual annual conference, PHOTO: EYA

Speaking at the Early Years Alliance’s annual conference this evening (15 June), its chief executive Neil Leitch, criticised the Government’s approach to the planned expansion of the 30-hours offer to younger children, arguing that the proposals have ‘absolutely nothing to do with supporting early language or child development or improving children’s life chances.’

He said that ‘Government has piled more pressure on our sector’, warning that while the sector was resilient, ‘early years educators are at risk of burnout’.

Leitch went on to say, ‘For all the talk of the mums who can go back to work as a result of the new offer, and the boost it will give to the economy, there was absolutely no mention of quality. No mention of good practice. No mention of the standard of care and education that these children should be receiving.

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