The scheme has been informed by a new report collecting together the findings from previous early years research, which reveals a lack of conclusive data about the impact of early years and childcare provision.
It says that although there has been rapid expansion of childcare provision during the past 20 years, it has been mostly through the private, voluntary and independent sector.
In, ‘Early years education and childcare: lessons from evidence and future priorities', it says, 'This mixed market model seems unlikely to change, though we believe the evidence raises questions about whether it currently provides consistently high quality childcare.'
While there is 'strong evidence' that overall quality is lower in the PVI sector than in the public sector, particularly in disadvantaged areas, it also found that England has been more successful than other countries in using early education and childcare to counteract disadvantage, with children accessing children's centres and nurseries attached to primary schools, 'where quality is higher'.
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