The Education Committee has today (15 December) launched a new inquiry into the affordability of childcare and early years education.
The Committee, which is chaired by Robin Walker MP, has launched the inquiry to examine why childcare has become too expensive for a growing proportion of young families.
MPs will investigate issues including the Government’s current system of funded entitlements and the Tax-Free Childcare scheme.
The group of cross-party MPs is seeking evidence on problems faced by the childcare sector, such as recruitment and retention of qualified staff.
They will also assess the value and quality of early years education, and how effectively it prepared children for starting schools. Other topics of interest of the inquiry include how education is provided to children with SEND, whether changes to the ‘planning system’ could support the sector and the extent to which the reduction of children’s centres has affected children and families, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
