Leitch warns of 'crisis' in early years sector 'crying out for change'

In his speech this evening, the chief executive of the Alliance said, ‘We’ve been crying out for so long that things need to change, that the sector is in crisis, that we need to act now to ensure we are able to continue to provide the best possible care and education for our children and families, and yet, so little seems to change.

'Instead, year after year, we have the same conversations - the same battles, over and over again.

'How many years have we been reading the same headlines about sky-high childcare costs and nothing changes?

'How many education schemes and policies have we seen rolled out that completely overlook our sector?’

Ratios

Leitch said Government plans to consult on changes to the number of children that early years workers can care for were ‘an enormous backward step’ that would not just compromise safety, but also children’s learning and development.

He described it as ‘ironic’ that ‘on the very same day that the Prime Minister is reported to have instructed ministers to look into ratios, Ofsted announced that its main focus over the next five years will be the early years.’

‘How many times have we had to explain that relaxing early years ratios is not now, nor will it ever be, the solution to the problems caused by years of underfunding?’ he said.

The only difference, Leitch said,  between 2013 - when the now-Foreign Secretary Liz Truss proposed the change - was ‘that in 2022, providers are under even more emotional and financial pressure.’

If implemented the policy would ‘not only put the quality of care and early education that children receive at risk, but it will also be an enormous backward step in how early years provision is viewed and understood in this country.’

He also spoke about the need to change the perception of the sector, referencing an article in The Telegraph that reported that the government was considering increasing the number of children that staff in early years settings could “watch”, calling it ‘a disgraceful misconception’.

He said, ‘I have met a lot of early years professionals in my time, and I have seen them educate children, care for them, support them and their families, liaise with countless agencies, act as therapists, health visitors, social workers, you name it.

'Never have I met a single one who simply “watches” children.’

He added, ‘We are not babysitters. We aren’t simply there to keep children fed and watered. Of course, keeping them safe is a priority – but that alone is not what we do. 

‘We are educators. Our job is to build the foundations of learning and development that will shape these children, and I don’t mean sharp go-getters who will step over others for money and careers ... I mean caring, kind, thoughtful, unbiased children that will drive the safety and security of our world. And relaxing ratios threatens our ability to do just that.’

However, on a more hopeful note, he said change was happening slowly.

'In years past, we in the sector would be alone in speaking out for the early years.

'Now we have parenting groups standing side by side with us, calling not just for more affordable early years provision, but for better funding to deliver quality early education and to ensure that our workforce gets paid a wage that reflects the vital importance of the work they do,' he said.

Thanking them for their 'bravery and support for the sector' he cited the official petition against the ratio plans started by Lewis and Zoe Steeper, whose son Oliver tragically died in an early years setting, which now has 62,000 signatures, as well as the work of Joanne and Dan Thompson, who are behind the paediatric first aid campaign that led to Millie's Mark.

He also referenced quotes from some Conservative MPs, who have spoken up for the early years workforce in a Westminster debate on early years education recently.

'They are all Conservative politicians, the kind of MPs that might just manage to get those in power to stop, listen and change the way they view what it means to be an early years provider,' he said.

The online conference on 9 June also featured keynote speeches from Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, WHO BreatheLife ambassador and founder of the Ella Roberta Family Foundation, and Andreas Rasch-Christensen, PhD, director of research at VIA University College in Denmark.