The Government must now prioritise how it can most effectively spend the Pounds 1.5bn budget for Sure Start, early years and childcare to support the creation of sustainable childcare places, with a recognition of the volume of growth that has already taken place in nursery provision and out-of-school care.
The number of day nurseries has risen by 42 per cent over the past four years. However, growth will not continue unless the crisis in staff recruitment and retention is resolved. Nursery staff are crying out for a work-life balance; we need to rethink the regulatory system that penalises nurseries for allowing flexible working practices.
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