What’s the problem?

The early years provision in this country is not fit for purpose, not only do we have the second most expensive childcare system IN THE WORLD, but at the same time, 1 in 10 Early Years workers live in poverty as a result of how little they are paid.

Currently, 30 hours of free childcare is only available once a child is aged three years old. Prior to that, and even with the tax-free childcare scheme, the cost of childcare is prohibitively expensive. If childcare was subsidised from nine-months-old, parents could return to work much more easily.

We also know that the current funding structure does not work for providers or meet their costs, creating enormous financial pressure on nurseries, many of whom are facing closure. We want to see all childcare workers paid the living wage, as a minimum, and nursery owners given the financial support they need to thrive.

In order to get to the root of the problems the sector faces we have been campaigning for an independent review.

What progress have we made?

In 2021, over 100,000 of you signed our petition to trigger a debate in Westminster about the need for an independent review. In September 2021 we finally had our day in Whitehall and you can read the full transcript of what happened here

Whilst the Government didn’t immediately agree at the debate that we need an independent review, since then we’ve gained significant press coverage for the campaign and we’re working with cross party MPs to keep pushing the issue.