Early Education and Childcare 2025-09-04

Bhatti welcomed the expansion of childcare but criticised the Labour Government's previous actions, such as the jobs tax, which he claimed are damaging the childcare sector. He mentioned that without urgent action on national insurance contributions, many providers could face closure within two years.

Welcomed the Minister’s statement on funded childcare hours, school-based nurseries, and holiday activities. Asked about ensuring children in families not in work are not left behind by the expansion of funded hours for working families. Raised concerns regarding recruitment and retention issues within early years practitioners.

Welcomed Government’s announcement on school-based nurseries and extension of childcare hours but pointed out the financial strain on private and voluntary sector providers due to national insurance contributions rise, inflation, and underfunded hours. Cited a survey showing 44% of providers could not meet demand this September. Called for urgent review of funding rates and full funding parental rights.

Welcomed the Minister's recognition of policy impact on equality, highlighting the 33% pay gap between mums and dads. Asked for jobcentres to help in informing parents about tax-free childcare and funded hours process to end motherhood penalty.

Questioned the Minister on when they will publish their assessment of economics running a nursery under new Government’s increase in jobs tax. Raised concerns about adequate supply of high-quality places, especially in areas like Alton, Petersfield and Horndean.

Name and position not provided completely in the text.

Welcomes the Government's initiatives on childcare entitlements and encourages parents to take advantage of these measures.

Defends the funding levels for new places, stating £8 billion will be spent this year with an increase to £9 billion next year. Mentions that core funding rates include forecasts around earnings, inflation and increases in the national living wage.

Questions about the funding level for new places and whether it fully compensates nurseries for an average £18,000 increase due to a rise in National Insurance Contributions.

Highlights two new nurseries funded by the Government and thanks everyone working across all early years settings for giving children the best start in life.

Welcomes the commitment to and recognition of early years provision but expresses concern about recruitment difficulties due to increased costs, questioning what measures are being taken to ensure recruitment is maintained.

Recalls working for Sure Start children’s centres in the 2000s and highlights new roll-outs of initiatives such as breakfast clubs, a new school-based nursery, extended family hubs and funded places.

Praises the expansion of childcare entitlement but raises concerns about funding not covering full costs for exceptional care and education due to NI increase. Urges a higher funding case to Treasury.

Welcomes savings on childcare by the Government but seeks further local initiatives such as opening more Sure Start centres.

Questions about steps being taken to ensure long-term financial stability for maintained nurseries, especially those with special educational needs support.

Highlights the opening of three school nurseries in his constituency and advises on how best to remind parents that measures are being supported by this Government alone.

Welcomes affordable childcare but expresses concern about private and voluntary sector providers struggling under the new early years funding contract, urging specific dates for a review of the funding.

Welcomes the opening of a nursery in York but asks how the programme will be evaluated to ensure investment is effective.

Highlights the childcare provider crisis and calls for broader investment in pay, conditions, and training to mitigate national insurance contribution burdens and improve morale.

Welcomes the investment but asks about conversations between the Department and Treasury regarding capital funding for schools to accommodate nurseries.

Discusses issues with charging regimes in nurseries, noting that providers are doing unpaid work due to current regulations.

Welcomes the announcement and asks about the wide range of benefits for families, children's educational development, and the wider economy from increased funded childcare.

Raises concerns about the sustainability of the private and voluntary sector in delivering the Government’s aims without further support. Asks to meet with the Minister to discuss this matter directly.

Welcomes strides made by the Labour government but questions the inflexible nature of funded hours compared to Scotland, asking for flexible hours in future policy.

Raises concerns about the strain of costs on childcare providers leading to practices affecting families negatively. Asks what is being done to help such families.

Asks for clarity on how measures will benefit hard-working parents in North Durham who are trying to balance work and family life.

Questions the disparity between childcare provision in England compared to Wales, urging Welsh Labour Government for improved provision.

Welcomes outstanding Ofsted report for a local primary school and congratulates the team on their work.

Highlights the high cost of childcare fees and its impact on reproductive choices, asking if this issue has been adequately addressed.

Welcomed the Government’s investment in local primary schools for nursery expansion and urged parents to visit beststartinlife.gov.uk.

Emphasised the importance of school-based nurseries in Labour's Best Start strategy, highlighted the convenience for families with multiple children attending different schools, and committed to further engagement with constituents regarding safety improvements.

Asked about the timeline for updating early years framework on safer sleeping guidance in nurseries following a tragic incident.

Celebrated the expansion of school-based nursery and breakfast clubs, requested more investment in Telford's schools.

Complimented the Government’s collaboration with Northern Ireland for childcare support and highlighted challenges faced by grandparents working later in life.

Welcomed the additional free childcare hours as a boost to local families, especially amid rising numbers of children in Dartford.

Expressed pride for his son starting preschool and thanked staff for their hard work.

Welcomed the expansion of school-based nurseries, mentioned specific benefits in Sandhurst, highlighted the holiday activities and food programme's success.

Praised the investment in early years staff and childcare places at Beechwood Church of England primary school, asked for further details on its impact.

Noted the benefits from free meals and breakfast clubs introduced by Labour, questioned how these initiatives help reduce child poverty in Exeter.

Expressed gratitude for funding for Allenby primary school’s nursery expansion and thanked the headteacher, enquired about further assistance for similar establishments.

Celebrated the transformation of empty classrooms into nurseries in his constituency through Labour's programme, requested more details on phase 2 funding.

Acknowledged the work done at Leaps and Bounds nursery to provide a safe environment for children, asked about making early years education accessible and affordable.

Appreciated the positive role of trade unions in nurturing the idea of school-based nurseries and requested more information on phase 2 funding for schools.

Praises the Sure Start legacy and expresses interest in the Minister's announcement regarding parents and children in Mid Derbyshire.

Announces free breakfast clubs across all primary schools, along with 30 hours of funded childcare support, saving families an average £7,500 annually. Emphasises the Government's commitment to easing financial pressures on families and ensuring children get the best start.

Appreciates the extension of the holiday activities and food programme, paying tribute to Jo Haydon and staff at 4 Community Trust for their work in her constituency.

Acknowledges the contribution made by local groups in delivering the HAF programme, highlighting that 5 million days of service have been provided this year alone.

Asks about Finland’s approach to early education through play and its importance according to Government strategy.

Acknowledges the role of play in learning, indicating a willingness to learn from other countries and discussing the value of play provision for children's development.

Compliments the Minister’s statement on its impact on young people and families. Discusses early intervention as a priority based on feedback from parents, seeking assurance that this approach will continue under Labour Government.

Acknowledges the importance of early education and support for children with additional needs, committing to work closely with local MPs like Chris Vince to ensure these services are implemented effectively.