Author: Shannon Pite

What’s the problem with ‘free childcare’?

Little girl in a pink top sat on an adult woman's lap smiling up at her

There has been much in the news recently about the issues surrounding the government’s so-called ‘free childcare’ offers? But what exactly is the problem, and why are early years providers so unhappy?

Try out our interactive explainer below for a quick and easy explanation of the situation…

Fight for fair funding

Little children holding hands together indoors.

Join our campaign for fair early years funding. Download your free campaign toolkit today!

We are educators

Woman reading to a little girl who is sat on her lap

There is a wealth of research showing the critical importance of the first five years of a child’s life to their long-term learning and development.

And yet, despite this, all too often early years provision in this country is viewed and treated simply as ‘childcare’ to support parents to work, and not as vital early education.

Online training

The Alliance delivers a range of CPD-accredited online training opportunities, tailored for those working in the early years sector, whatever your style of learning.

Marketing your early years business

Young girl looking through viewfinder of her camera making a photo of spring flowers

Marketing helps you better understand and anticipate your customer needs. It gives you expertise and the right tools to adapt quickly to a changing market and ensures your early years business competes successfully.

Turning point? report

Read our comprehensive report on shining a light on the recruitment and retention challenges facing the early years sector, published in November 2024.

Inclusive practice training package

Little girl wearing a hearing aid being handed a toy

A comprehensive CPD package which brings together a range of Alliance training resources – from Virtual Classrooms to Insights, Alliance publications to Toolkits – each with a focus around an element of inclusive early years practice.

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