Commenting on Coram Family and Childcare’s annual Childcare Survey for 2022, which found rising costs and a decline in availability of childcare places, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said: It is widely accepted that high quality early years education can make a lasting difference to a child’s life.

“The current levels of free childcare access for working families are not sufficient and there is evidence it may be contributing to the recent widening in the attainment gap. As part of the solution, government should make the entitlement for 30 hours of funded childcare and early education universal so that every child has the very best start in life regardless of their background or their family’s circumstances.”