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.
The Committee invites written submissions addressing any, or all, of the above points by 19 January 2023. Written evidence should be no more than 3,000 words.
Chair Robin Walker said, ‘The childcare sector is intrinsically important because it has the potential to allow millions of parents to continue with their careers while giving young children a huge head start in their pre-school education.
‘It’s vital that we identify solutions to the range of problems and challenges facing the childcare sector in England, understand why the costs have become too dear for many families, and see what the Government could do to raise the esteem, affordability and quality of early years education.
‘As many have pointed out, getting this right could be a huge boost for the UK’s productivity and the welfare of its future generations.
‘It’s no wonder there is so much cross-party hunger to fix childcare. That’s why this Committee is perfectly placed to look for a way forward.’
- To submit written submissions click here
