Nick Gibb takes responsibility for early years at DfE
By Rachel Lawler
Nick Gibb will oversee early years education and childcare, following an expansion of his .
The minister of state for school reform will be responsible for “funding, support for the early years workforce, quality and the early education entitlements” in addition to his other responsibilities.
Michelle Donelan, parliamentary under secretary of state for children and families, will take on responsibility for children’s social care, special educational needs and disabilities, disadvantage, social mobility and the home learning environment during Kemi Badenoch’s maternity leave.
In addition to responsibility for the early years, Gibb has also had PE and school sport added to his remit, as well as responsibility for the pupil premium.
Gibb has served as minister at the Department for Education since 2010. He has been MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton since 1997 and previously worked as an accountant for KPMG.
Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Alliance, commented: “The expansion of Nick Gibb’s role to include early years comes at an important time for the sector.
“While early years funding is clearly the urgent priority, the minister will also be well aware that there is a depth of concern in the sector about ‘schoolification’ of the early years.
“We are keen to work with him to ensure that early years policy in a wide range of areas, including funding levels, EYFS revisions and workforce recruitment and retention are informed by robust evidence and best practice.”
Read more