Nursery World - 'No real support' for early years in Government's levelling up white paper

Early years organisations, charities and teaching unions have criticised the Government’s new package of measures to transform education for disadvantaged children.

Hartlepool is one of the 55 'cold spots' identified as 'Education Investment Areas' in the Government's new White Paper, PHOTO Adobe Stock

Due to be published tomorrow (Wednesday), the Government’s Levelling Up White Paper identifies 55 ‘cold spots’ of the country where additional support will be provided to improve schools and children’s’ outcomes.

The white paper also outlines new measures for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and more funding for vulnerable families as well as training.

It fails to include any measures for young children or the early years sector and workforce however, or give any mention to tackling child poverty.

'No real support for early years'

Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), said that there was ‘no real support for early years in the White Paper despite how crucial the period is to ‘lifelong learning.’

‘We need to see more support given to children to build up their foundations of learning. This must include a clear strategy for early years and their workforce.

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