Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Early Years Funding And Support Initiatives

03 December 2020 · 0 other contributors · 1,563 words

Opened by Vicky Ford Con Chelmsford

Responding minister: Not recorded

Children & Families

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Vicky Ford raised concerns about early years funding and support initiatives in Westminster Hall. Response awaited from government.

Key points

  • The lead MP highlighted improvements in Ofsted ratings for early years settings, rising from 74% to 96% since 2013.
  • The proportion of five-year-olds reaching a good level of development increased from 52% in 2013 to 72% currently.
  • The MP noted an investment of 3.6 billion in free childcare places, benefiting over 1 million disadvantaged two-year-olds since 2013.

Key requests to Government

The lead MP assured the House that further details on spring term funding would be provided as soon as possible and emphasised the government's commitment to supporting early years settings through increased funding for hourly rates and reactive expert support. She also committed to continuing the long-term funding of maintained nursery schools.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Vicky Ford Con Chelmsford

The lead MP expressed admiration for those working in the early years sector and highlighted improvements since 2013, including a rise from 74% to 96% of settings rated good or outstanding by Ofsted. She noted that the proportion of five-year-olds reaching a good level of development increased from 52% in 2013 to 72% currently. The MP also mentioned an unprecedented investment of £3.6 billion in free childcare places, benefiting over 1 million disadvantaged two-year-olds since 2013 and an estimated 345,700 children taking up 30-hour childcare places.

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