Editor’s view - Time to choose

The Conservatives’ manifesto was not what you could call a crowd-pleaser for the PVI sector. There was confirmation the 30 hours programme will go ahead, but no mention of extra funding. Money was promised for primary schools to open nurseries, which would further intensify competition for younger children. This seems strange from the party traditionally on the side of small businesses.

There will be concern, too, over plans to ‘strengthen’ the teaching of numeracy and literacy in the early years, if that indicates an ever more formal approach. And mention of looking at the ‘best ways’ childcare is provided around the world raises the spectre of ratio revision again.

Add in the removal of infant free school lunches, and it is all rather disheartening.

Labour’s manifesto had a costings document summarising how it intends to fund its proposals, which include extending the 30 hours to all two-year-olds; overhauling childcare to move to direct government subsidy; making capital investment in free place provision; and moving to a graduate-led workforce.

It is good to see the importance of early years recognised, but the plans still fall short of a truly radical shift. It is not clear, either, if costings are based on existing funding rates, which would leave us with the same underfunding problems.

The Lib Dems also promise to extend free childcare – 15 hours for all two-year-olds, then 30 hours for many from the end of parental leave in due course. The Early Years Pupil Premium would treble to £1,000, with free school meals extended to all primary pupils. Acknowledgement is made of the need for childcare businesses to be sustainable, but the whole package may be over-ambitious.