Press Release
Bridget Phillipson is right, we need to build towards a future of universal early years education
The current funded hours system is shutting out the children who stand to benefit most.
Responding to the Education Secretary’s Ruskin College speech, Dr Daniella Jenkins, Executive Director at the Women’s Budget Group, said,
“Every child has a right to high-quality early education and childcare. As the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson rightfully said in her speech, it is social infrastructure: giving children the best start in life, enabling parents – especially women – to work, supporting the economy, and advancing gender equality.
“And she is right to highlight that the current funded hours system is shutting out the children who stand to benefit most. Just 20% of the poorest third of families are eligible for the existing 30-hour offer for three- and four-year-olds. For too many parents, especially single parents, it creates a catch-22: they need childcare to get into work, but they need work to qualify for funded childcare.
“The recent expansion of funded hours has helped many families with childcare costs, but those who are locked out of the offer are facing ever-higher prices. The result is that too many disadvantaged children are being priced out of the high-quality early education that can make the biggest difference to their lives.
“We know the cost of inaction is high. Children who miss out on high-quality EECC can fall behind before they even start school, often requiring more costly support later on. Around two-fifths of the attainment gap between the most and least disadvantaged young people at age 16 is already present by the age of five.
“We at WBG have long argued that childcare should be a universal, free public service, delivered on the same footing as school education. The recent expansion has shown that extending entitlement is only half the job – government must also provide sustainable funding so the system can deliver on its promise.
“Our modelling shows that while the upfront investment in a universal system is significant, almost all of the cost is recouped through higher tax revenues as more mothers move into paid work and lower spending on means-tested benefits. We hope the Government’s upcoming childcare review recognises this as a crucial investment in gender equality and the economy, and sets out a clear path towards a universal childcare system that gives every child the best start in life.