Commenting on a report by the Early Years Alliance on the funding of early years education, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said: “We agree that the early years must be a priority for recovery.

“Children who start school already behind often find it difficult, even impossible, to catch up later, even with additional help. A good way to mitigate the damage caused by coronavirus for young children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, is by investing in early years education and family services.

"We also agree that the early entitlements are underfunded and need to be reviewed. We cannot continue to ask Early Years settings to provide first-class education and childcare on a shoe-string budget.”

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Email : press.office@naht.org.uk