Alliance comments on anti-poverty childcare report

27th January 2016

Commenting on ‘Creating an anti-poverty childcare system’, a new report by the Family and Childcare Trust, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, said:

“We welcome the publication of this comprehensive report, which provides not only a coherent analysis of the UK’s childcare system, but also makes a number of pragmatic recommendations on how children’s life chances can be improved through early care, education and intervention.

“As the report rightly highlights, high quality childcare and education has been shown to be particularly beneficial for children from more disadvantaged backgrounds and has the power to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable in society. However, as we have always said, quality costs and the only way we will be able to achieve the (laudable) aims of this report is if the government is willing to invest what is needed into the early years sector.

“This is even more critical given the current progress Childcare Bill through the House of Commons. As referenced in the report, independent research commissioned by the Alliance shows that the early years sector is already significantly underfunded; it’s vital, therefore, that the government adequately funds its promise to extend the free early education offer to 30-hours per week for three- and four-year olds. If it does not, this is a very real risk of a decline in the availability of high-quality care for those who need it most.

“At a time when there is such a strong focus on early years education and care, we hope that government policymakers read this report, and its findings, carefully and take its recommendations seriously.”

For further information or to interview, Neil Leitch, Chief Executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance please contact:

Emma Caldwell
Pre-school Learning Alliance
T: 020 7697 2598
E: Emma Caldwell

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Notes for editors

  1. The Pre-school Learning Alliance is the largest voluntary sector provider of quality affordable childcare and education in England.
  2. Through direct provision and its membership of 14,000 nurseries, sessional pre-schools and parent and toddler groups, the Alliance supports over 800,000 children and their families in England. The Alliance also develops and runs family learning programmes, offers information and advice, runs acclaimed training and accreditation programmes and campaigns to influence early years policy and practice.
  3. For information about the Pre-school Learning Alliance, visit our website:

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