Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Early Years Teacher Training

Monday 28 November 2022 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department has expanded initial teacher training places for early years.
  • The Department is reviewing the level-3 qualification criterion for early years.
  • The Government are supporting early years professionals with 180 million for qualifications and training.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gary Sambrook
Education
Context

The question was prompted by a review of early years education and the need for improved training.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to improve early years teacher training. The Department has expanded initial teacher training places and reviewed qualification criteria for early years, as part of £180 million-worth support announced in December 2022.

Answer from Claire Coutinho

The Department has significantly expanded the number of fully funded initial teacher training places in early years for the next academic year, and it is reviewing the level-3 qualification criterion for early years, both of which are part of our package of £180 million-worth of support.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Gary Sambrook
Children & Families
Context

The question was prompted by a visit to Jelly Babies nursery at Longbridge Methodist church where the MP met with educators involved in early childhood development.

Question

I recently visited Jelly Babies nursery at Longbridge Methodist church. The Early Years Alliance is running its “We Are Educators” campaign, which I hope the Minister will support by recognising its work and the benefits for young children across the UK, particularly in Birmingham, Northfield.

Answer from Claire Coutinho

I know that my hon. Friend is a huge supporter of Jelly Babies, both the nursery and otherwise. The Government are supporting early years professionals with £180 million for qualifications and specific training, such as on dealing with challenging behaviour following the pandemic and on early communication.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Recognition of the 'We Are Educators' campaign was not specifically addressed.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham
Education Children & Families
Context

The question was prompted by concerns over potential real-terms funding cuts to the Department for Education, specifically affecting early years education.

Question

High-quality early years education is vital, and it is the best possible investment in our future—that includes both training and provision for all. Given that school budgets were protected in the autumn statement, where will the two years of real-terms funding cuts set for the Department for Education fall? Can the Minister confirm they will not fall on early years education?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

As I said in answer to earlier questions, we put an extra £0.5 billion into the early years sector in the 2021 spending review to increase the hourly rate. We are also spending money on qualifications and training for teachers. This sector is very important to us, and we continue to consider all the ways we can support it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Confirmation that funding cuts will not affect early years education was not provided.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email