Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Early Years Services and Childcare

Monday 23 May 2022 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government spends over 5 billion annually on childcare and early years services.
  • Minister considers moving to Scottish staff-to-child ratios for two-year-olds.
  • Government explores regulatory changes to support childminders and reduce costs.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mohammad Yasin Lab Bedford
Children & Families
Context

No specific background provided. The question addresses general concerns about the effectiveness and affordability of current funding models for childcare.

Question

What steps are being taken to reform early years services and childcare provision?

Answer from Will Quince

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or reforms being taken were not detailed, instead general commitments mentioned without concrete actions.

How: Under Review, Taking Seriously

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Q2 Mohammad Yasin Lab Bedford
Education Economy Children & Families
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Will Quince

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific issues related to price increases at the YMCA nursery were not addressed, only general commitments mentioned without concrete actions.

How: Under Review, Taking Seriously

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Q3 Helen Hayes Lab Dulwich and West Norwood
Economy Children & Families
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Will Quince

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific concerns about cost impact were not addressed in detail, only general principles stated without concrete figures or commitments.

How: Under Review, Taking Seriously

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Q4 Helen Hayes Lab Dulwich and West Norwood
Children & Families
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Will Quince

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No concrete measures or actions were detailed for increasing take-up rates, only acknowledgment of low uptake and general commitment to improvement.

How: Under Review, Taking Seriously

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Q5 Siobhan Baillie
Children & Families
Context

Concerns raised about the inefficacy of Government policies on childcare despite billions spent. Questions about regulatory burdens driving up costs.

Question

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?

Answer from Will Quince

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on regulatory reviews or support measures for childminders were not provided; only general statements made without concrete actions.

How: Under Review, Taking Seriously

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