Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Early Years Update

04 July 2022 · Department for Education

Proposed by Will Quince Con Colchester

Children & Families

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

View on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • The government is consulting on changes to early years staff-to-child ratios and supervision requirements.
  • Proposals include updates to the Early Years National Funding Formula to improve childcare cost and choice.
  • Funding for maintained nursery schools will be maintained to support families and providers.

Issue summary

The statement addresses plans to improve the cost, choice, and availability of childcare in England.

Action requested

The government is consulting on changes to early years staff-to-child ratios and supervision requirements while children are eating. It also proposes updates to the Early Years National Funding Formula and maintains funding for maintained nursery schools. The consultations aim to provide more flexibility for providers and better support for families.

Key facts

  • The government invests over £3.5 billion annually in early education entitlements for two-, three- and four-year-olds.
  • Tax-free childcare provides up to £2,000 per year or £4,000 for disabled children under 17 years old.
  • Proposals include changing the statutory minimum early years staff:child ratio from 1:4 to 1:5 for two-year-olds and clarifying childminder ratios when looking after their own children or siblings of other children.
  • The funding formulae will be updated annually starting from 2023-24, with an additional £10 million invested into maintained nursery school supplementary funding.
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