Early Years Services and Childcare 2022-05-23
2022-05-23
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
No specific background provided. The question addresses general concerns about the effectiveness and affordability of current funding models for childcare.
What steps are being taken to reform early years services and childcare provision?
We spend more than £5 billion a year on childcare and early years, including the offer for disadvantaged two-year-olds; 15 and 30 hours for three and four-year-olds, worth about £6,000 per child to parents; the universal credit offer of up to 85% of childcare costs; tax-free childcare; and the holiday activities and food programme.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific steps or reforms being taken were not detailed, instead general commitments mentioned without concrete actions.
Under Review
Taking Seriously
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Parents in Bedford are facing unaffordable childcare price increases at a YMCA community nursery. Rising business costs, huge losses, and staff shortages are highlighted as consequences.
Parents of children attending the YMCA community nursery face unaffordable sevenfold price increases due to rising business costs and staffing issues. Does the Minister agree that levelling up means nothing if children cannot access quality early education?
We spend more than £5 billion a year on childcare, including offers for disadvantaged two-year-olds, 15 and 30 hours for three and four-year-olds worth about £6,000 per child to parents; the universal credit offer of up to 85% of childcare costs; tax-free childcare; and the holiday activities and food programme.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific issues related to price increases at the YMCA nursery were not addressed, only general commitments mentioned without concrete actions.
Under Review
Taking Seriously
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
A quarter of households earning between £20,000 and £30,000 a year are paying more than £100 a week for childcare. Providers believe proposed cuts in ratios will do nothing to reduce costs.
Soaring childcare costs put pressure on the cost of living for families with young children. 98% of providers believe reducing staff to child ratios will not cut costs for parents and could lower care quality. Why does the Minister believe asking parents to pay more for less is adequate?
We are considering moving to Scottish staff-to-child ratios for two-year-olds, providing settings more autonomy and flexibility. Our priority is safe and high-quality early years provision; we will not compromise on quality.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific concerns about cost impact were not addressed in detail, only general principles stated without concrete figures or commitments.
Under Review
Taking Seriously
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
More than half of families with two-year-olds do not access any formal early years education or childcare at all, while 65% of eligible children are not receiving full free entitlement.
Early years education makes a huge difference to child development and can mitigate disadvantage. What measures is the Minister taking to increase uptake of free places for two-year-olds?
Take-up of the two-year-old disadvantage offer is lower than desired. We must promote these offers more widely in Parliament, and I understand that this issue needs greater attention.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No concrete measures or actions were detailed for increasing take-up rates, only acknowledgment of low uptake and general commitment to improvement.
Under Review
Taking Seriously
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Concerns raised about the inefficacy of Government policies on childcare despite billions spent. Questions about regulatory burdens driving up costs.
Even with significant spending, childcare issues persist. Will my hon. Friend confirm that he is carefully examining regulations to reduce costs for families and support childminders in future changes?
We are working with other Departments to consider options within spending review parameters, considering quality of provision, health and safety, and regulatory changes that could encourage more childminders into the profession.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific details on regulatory reviews or support measures for childminders were not provided; only general statements made without concrete actions.
Under Review
Taking Seriously
Response accuracy