Parents and carers: Support the fight for fair early years funding
Join the fight for fair funding for the early years sector
The early years sector in England is in crisis.
Nurseries, pre-schools and childminders are struggling to keep their doors open, while parents and carers face ever-rising prices during an already-challenging cost-of-living crisis. So what can be done?
The need for more investment
The problem is the so-called 'free childcare' offers. The money the government gives to early years settings to pay for these places doesn't come anywhere near what it costs to deliver them. As a result, providers have no choice but to:
- increase fees for any additional hours taken up outside the funded hours
- increases fees for younger children
- restrict the hours and sessions when funded places can be taken up
- increase the cost of additional extras, such as meals, snacks and trips
or risk going out of business.
We believe that the current situation isn't fair on families and it isn't fair on providers trying their best to deliver the quality care and education that young children need and deserve. That's why we're calling on the government to fully-fund the early entitlement offers, both now and in the future
How can you help?
The voice of parents and carers is vital in the fight for fairer early years funding. That's why we are asking as many of you as possible to write to your local MP to ask them to call on the Treasury to adequately fund the early years sector.
If you can find your local MP's details , and we have a template letter you can use, if helpful, .
Further information
You can find out more in: