A new report has called on the Mayor of London to lobby the government to review funding rates for early education entitlements in London to ensure higher-quality provision amid low staffing rates and a lack of infrastructure.
The report, published by the London Assembly Economy Committee, warns that there is a shortage of childcare in London, with existing provision in the capital costing 25 to 30 per cent more than across Great Britain as a whole.
The government is planning to expand free entitlements for children under the age of three, set to be introduced gradually from April until September 2025, yet the committee warns that for the expansion to be successful in London, there needs to be additional funding to increase staffing, capacity and infrastructure.
The report highlights the high cost of living in London as posing issues for the government’s expanded childcare offer to be rolled out effectively, stating: “There are clear concerns about the impact this will have on the childcare sector, and its capacity and infrastructure to cope with the rise in demand."
