Effective, high quality early years provision makes a significant difference to young children, says Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the LGA's Children and Young People Board.
Responding to an IFS report on how the Autumn Statement has left education, including early years learning, facing severe financial challenges from higher-than-expected inflation, Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, said:
“Effective, high quality early years provision makes a significant difference to young children, helping to break the cycle of disadvantage and improving social mobility while also enabling parents to work.
“As this report highlights, while it is good that investment into early years has increased, this has not been enough to make up for rising costs, the majority of which have yet to be felt.
“Inflationary pressures in early years settings is giving councils cause for concern, which is reflected in this report. It is vital that government fully funds early years entitlements, ensuring providers get the support they need while enabling all children to have access to nursery places, alongside a well-resourced workforce.”