Consultation responses
On the 15th March 2023, the Chancellor presented the Spring budget which included an outline of changes to funding for the provision of 1- and 2-year-olds in early childhood settings.
Key announcements
Childcare revolution to expand 30 hours free childcare for children over the age of nine months, alongside boosts to subsidised childcare for parents on Universal Credit including upfront support (HM Treasury, 2023). The announcements coincided with the publication of the ‘Childcare Regulatory Changes: Government consultation response’ (DfE, 2023), outlining the following: Moving to the staff: child ratios for two-year-olds, from a ratio of 1:4 to 1:5, in line with the Scottish system Amending EYFS wording on childminder ratios to be clear that childminders have flexibility within their ratios in circumstances where they are caring for sibling children, or their own child. These changes have been announced, despite recognition that respondents to the consultation disagreed with the proposals. The following themes were identified by respondents: concerns for the overall quality of provision in group-based settings staff workload, wellbeing, recruitment, and retention implications concerns for child wellbeing, development, and progress failure to address the current and most pressing challenges in the early years sector concerns that any financial savings made by setting owners, as result of introducing the proposal, would not be passed onto parents/carers. (DfE, 2023)
ECSDN Response:
The Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network (ECSDN) is encouraged by the recognition that support is needed for parents and families that are struggling with extortionate childcare costs. We have raised our concerns and support the issues outlined by @PregnantThenScrewed (2023) and Coram (2023). We would welcome further clarification about the implementation of these plans in practice, with further attention to the pressure this could place on settings. We raise concerns regarding the safety, wellbeing, and development implications of the changes to staff: child ratios. We recognise that early childhood settings are already under immense pressure as they struggle with recruitment, retention, and professional development of staff. We therefore also call for true recognition, in terms of pay and professional status, of a workforce that is seemingly considered essential for early childhood development. The importance of the first three years of life, for all aspects of development, has been highlighted through ‘Early Childhood: Building Foundations for Life’ (Royal Foundation, 2023) and ‘Best Start for Life’ strategy (DHSC, 2021). This recognition aligns to the core values of the ECSDN and our central focus in promoting a highly qualified and well-valued early childhood workforce for the best possible start for all children. Early Childhood Studies is an academic discipline with interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary working at its centre. Undergraduate, Postgraduate Students and alumni are equipped with outstanding knowledge and experience, and their expertise is essential in advocating for the health, well-being and education of all children and their families. Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies (ECSDN, 2018, p.6) make ‘make a significant contribution to strengthening a graduate-led Early Childhood workforce that is responsive to workforce needs and improves outcomes for children’. We believe that our work and commitment to early childhood qualifications is central to supporting a workforce that is vital for children and families. We will continue to advocate for the early childhood sector and to work alongside policy makers to encourage true recognition and support for a highly qualified early childhood graduate profession and workforce.
Written by:
Dr Helen Simmons on behalf of the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network (Co-vice Chair Policy Lobbying and Advocacy)
References:
Coram (2023) Coram survey finds childcare shortages nationwide with the most disadvantaged children missing out. https://www.coram.org.uk/news/coram-survey-finds-childcare-shortages-nationwide-most-disadvantaged-children-missing-out Accessed 16th March 2023. Department for Education (2023) ‘Childcare Regulatory Changes: Government consultation response’. DfE, UK. Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC). (2021). The best start for life, a vision for the first 1001 critical days: The early years healthy development review report. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-best-start-for-life-a-vision-for-the-1001-critical-days Accessed 16th March 2023 Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network (ECSDN)(2018). Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies. ECSDN, UK. https://www.ecsdn.org/competencies/ Accessed 16th March 2023 HM Treasury (2023) Chancellor unveils a Budget for growth. Gov.Uk. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-unveils-a-budget-for-growth. Accessed 16th March 2023 Pregnant Then Screwed (2023) About Pregnant Then Screwed. Available at: https://pregnantthenscrewed.com/about-maternity-discrimination/ Accessed 16th March 2023 Royal Foundation (2023) Early Childhood: Building Foundations for Life. https://royalfoundation.com/early-childhood/ Accessed 16th March 2023