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Please find below a comment from the Early Years Alliance in reaction to the government's response to the Education Select Committee's report into childcare and the early years, following the Committee's inquiry which concluded earlier this year.

The government's response, along with the Committee's report can be read 

Commenting, Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, said: 

“It is extremely disheartening that the government has completely wasted an opportunity to put in place meaningful change to address the raft of challenges facing the sector and families alike. 

“In its report earlier this year, the Committee shed much needed light on the array of critical challenges facing the early years, including – but by no means limited to – underfunding, recruitment and retention and support for children with SEND.  

“What the sector needed in response was for the government to show it had listened – and crucially, acted – on the findings. What we got, however, was a disappointing reiteration of recent policy announcements, combined with a complete refusal to budge on a number of key changes that would make a difference for the early years sector, such as ratios, funding and business rates relief.” 

“The government says it recognises the importance of early education. Today’s response shows that it has once again failed to match this rhetoric with any meaningful action.”