Free places for two-year-olds will help parents, says Daycare Trust

Extending free nursery places to two-year-olds will give much-needed help to the poorest families, says Daycare Trust, giving a warm welcome to today’s announcement of Ed Balls’ ten-year Children’s Plan.

“Providing free places is a simple, transparent way of supporting early years education and care, and one which is hugely popular with parents,” says Alison Garnham, Joint-chief Executive of Daycare Trust.

“Extending the free places to two-year-olds, targeting the most disadvantaged first, will help close the gap in educational outcomes between the poorest children and the rest,” she added.

The national childcare charity also welcomed a pledge of more investment for driving up skills in the childcare workforce.

“Putting more money into supporting professional development in the private, voluntary and independent sector is very welcome, as is the long-term funding for the Graduate Leader Fund. This puts us on course to reach the goal of having every childcare setting led by a qualified teacher.”

“It’s also great news that the Government is planning to make better outreach a part of everyday practice for early years settings – because we know that it’s the most disadvantaged families who find it hardest to access services.”

“We believe, however, that this will only be really effective if matched with the funding needed to ensure that nurseries are sustainable. It’s no use encouraging parents to use their local nursery if it’s on the brink of closing because it can’t make ends meet.”

“Ed Balls’ vision of childhood, where the poorest families have access to high-quality early years care and education, delivered by highly-trained staff, is one which we are happy to endorse.”

Ends.

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Daycare Trust
Daycare Trust is the national childcare charity, campaigning for quality affordable accessible childcare for all and raising the voices of children, parents and carers. We advise parents and carers, providers, employers, trade unions and policymakers on childcare issues. We recognise that everyone is unique and we value difference in our communities. We listen to all views and are committed to act without prejudice. We oppose all discrimination and promote equality in all we do.
Daycare Trust is calling on the government to:
§ Meet parents' aspirations for universal childcare services by:
- expanding free places for two, three and four-year olds to at least 20 hours a week, for 48 weeks in the year and
- subsidising out of school activities for all 11-14s and for younger children from poorer families, aiming ultimately to make them free.
§ Tackle the affordability crisis by giving local authorities the means to develop sustainable services in poorer areas and provide free places for those missing out, including places for disabled children, parents needing out of hours care, Further Education students and parents of under-threes who want to train.
§ Raise the bar on childcare quality by expanding the Transformation Fund, developing a new generation of childcare professionals and paying them properly.
Daycare Trust runs an information line (020 7840 3350) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am-5pm. Parents can also visit www.daycaretrust.org.uk for information.
Daycare Trust is a member of the Campaign to End Child Poverty, www.ecpc.org.uk .
For further information, contact press office at Daycare Trust on 020 7840 3350, ext 217 (out of hours 0780-4508768).

Disclaimer:
Press releases published on this page are from key opinion formers who promote their organisation's activities by subscribing to a campaign site within politics.co.uk. politics.co.uk does not endorse, edit, or attempt to balance the opinions expressed on this page. The content of press releases are wholly the responsibility of the originating company or organisation.