Responding to a survey by the Early Years Alliance (EYA) revealing that many childcare providers in England will struggle to meet increased demand for funded places under the Government’s new offer, Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“Ever since this policy was announced we have been warning that insufficient funding and the recruitment and retention crisis in the early years could make it difficult to deliver.

“Until the government ensures nurseries have the funding they need to offer more places and pay staff properly, it is inevitable that the government’s scheme will fall far short of parents expectations.”