Alliance FOI data reveals that 28% of local authorities have seen a drop in funding rates since 2012 Early years settings have seen a real-terms fall in funding levels between 2012/13 and 2017/18 in more than a quarter of local authorities, according to research from the Alliance. This is despite the government’s “record investment” […]

Statistics show a 24% decline in childminder numbers since 2012 The government could struggle to fulfil its promise of 30-hours a week of childcare after the number of childminders in England has fallen to below 43,500, the Alliance has warned. Statistics released by Ofsted show a 24% decline in childminder numbers since August 2012. […]

Alliance research shows that PVI providers are underrepresented on local authority schools forums Research has revealed that 70% of schools forums in England have just one representative from the PVI sector for the early years and a further 29% of forums have just two. Only two local councils reported having three or more representatives […]

No party has won an overall majority in the 2017 general election, resulting in a hung parliament, it has been confirmed. The Conservative Party had widely been expected to win comfortably, with some polls predicting they would achieve a majority of as many as a hundred seats. However, it has now been confirmed that […]

An at-a-glance guide to all the chidlcare and early years pledges made by the major parties this election With so many political parties promising ‘free’ childcare, here is an at-a-glace giude to all the main parties’ proposed early years policies: Conservatives All new primary schools to include a nursery New capital fund to […]

Resource considers everyday activities as maths lessons The Alliance has launched a new publication that helps practitioners turn everyday early years activities into maths lessons. Discovering Maths through Play helps practitioners to spot readily available opportunities for maths in their setting. The resource will help build confidence and develop skills in one of […]

Party promises 30-hours of free childcare to all children aged two- to four-years-old The Labour Party has pledged to extend the current 30-hours offer to all children aged two- to four-years-old. The party estimates that this will benefit an additional 1.3 million children compared to the existing offer. Currently, funded childcare is only available […]

Parents are said to be having difficulty accessing flagship website The government’s Childcare Services website is said to be experiencing technical problems, just one month after it launched. Run by HM Revenue & Customs, the .gov.uk site has left many parents unable to access accounts for tax-free childcare. Several parents have reported error […]

Party also plans for “free universal” early education and childcare for all The Green Party has promised to offer “free universal” childcare for all children in its latest manifesto. The party has also pledged to delay the start of formal education until the age of seven. Children in England currently start school […]

Conservative manifesto pledges to add early years provision to all new schools and confirms commitment to 30-hours offer The Conservative party has unveiled its latest manifesto, including a pledge to add nursery provision to all new primary schools. The manifesto also reaffirmed the party’s commitment to the 30-hours offer, due to be rolled-out […]

Liberal Democrats plan to support disadvantaged three- and four-year-olds with £1,000 a year per child The Liberal Democrats have pledged to increase the early years pupil premium (EYPP) and extend the 15-hours childcare offer to all two-year-olds in their latest manifesto. The party has also promised to prioritise funded childcare for working families with […]

Party says it will spend £5bn each year making 30-hours offer universal The Labour party has pledged to extend the current 30-hours childcare offer if it wins the general election on 8 June. A party spokesperson confirmed today that, under a Labour government, all children aged three and four would be entitled to […]