Nursery World - Putting children last

The Government is not prioritising children with its early years policies and the situation isn’t sustainable for providers or families, says Helen Hayes, shadow early years minister

Helen Hayes: 'Life has increasingly become a balancing act for early years providers'

Every parent and carer will know the constant juggling that comes with raising a family. The maze of admin, registering for nursery places and then for school, working out what support you are entitled to and how you will cover the rest. Being mum, dad, alongside working, socialising, maintaining relationships, is a constant balancing act.

Life has increasingly become a balancing act for early years providers too. Balancing the books is now a constant pressure. Since Labour left government, more than 1,300 children’s centres have closed. In just six months during the pandemic 3,300 early years providers closed their doors for good. This has huge consequences, for staff who lose jobs, for parents unable to find alternative childcare, and of course for children whose development and wellbeing benefit hugely from high-quality education.

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