Early years a ‘top priority’ in union’s education recovery report

The blueprint educational recovery, which NAHT hopes will inform the Government’s as yet unpublished recovery report, calls for ‘urgent review’ into the 30-hours funded childcare for working parents, as well as the funding that providers receive to deliver the offer, which is currently ‘insufficient’.

It states, ‘The current policy means that only children of parents currently in work benefit from the funded hours in an early years setting. This means that some of the most disadvantaged children are potentially missing out. The policy needs to be recast so that it is focused on providing equal access to high-quality early education for all children.’

NAHT says that the early years pupil premium should also be increased, to achieve parity with the primary pupil premium so that ‘early intervention can be prioritised’.

It agrees with calls from the Sutton Trust that funding should be provided for continuous professional development of the early years workforce and that high-quality CPD should be an entitlement for all early years professionals.

However, it states that a truly ambitious plan ‘must go further’ and that now is the time to invest in and rapidly expand multi-disciplinary children’s centres.

‘The widespread closure of children’s centres witnessed between 2010 and 2019 was a grave error, particularly in light of recent research showing the positive impact such centres had on children’s health…The Government’s recent proposals for a “Start for Life” package and “Family Hubs” could be the way to address this, and it is essential these are now launched and properly resourced,’ it says.

Headteachers also call for the long-term term future of maintained nursery schools to be secured, given the crucial role they play in the sector and the successful outcomes they achieve, particularly for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with SEND.

Investment in early years is one of the seven recommendations set out in the NAHT’s report, ‘A blueprint for a stronger and fairer system for all’.
It comes amid concerns raised by school leaders that education recovery ‘cannot happen the cheap’ as this will risk harming the life chances of pupils at a critical time.

Other recommendations include:

• Improve support for mental health and well-being
• Invest in the teaching profession
• Provide targeted academic support for pupils who need it
• Expand extra-curricular provision and invest in extra-curricular providers
• Invest in school technology
• Remove unnecessary burdens and distractions

NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said, ‘The Government has promised that the recovery effort will see "no child will be left behind". That is the right approach. But it is also a big promise. The only way the Government keeps that promise is by fully backing the recovery effort with ambitious funding too.’

He added, ‘It is not an exaggeration to say that in today’s unsettled world this country’s long term future depends on the young people in school and college now. We have to give them everything we can to help them make a better fist of it than we have. A failure to invest in education is a failure to invest in the nation’s future.’

Purnima Tanuku, NDNA’s chief executive, said, ‘We really welcome these recommendations from the NAHT and it should not be a surprise that their top recommendation is to prioritise early years. Early years must always be at the top of the Government agenda and this is what we have been lobbying Government about for a long time. Research shows that high quality early education gives all children the best start in life and also helps to reduce inequalities in attainment. But any investment must be significant and meaningful to make a real difference following years of underfunding. Investing in a child’s early years actually saves money later in life.’

She added, ‘Currently private, voluntary and independent nurseries who deliver the vast majority of funded childcare places are really struggling with both sustainability and recruitment. Lower attendance levels and fewer paid-for children compared to Government-funded children is leaving nurseries with lower income to pay higher operating costs as a result of Covid measures. Three quarters of nurseries had to fully or partially close since November due to positive cases, resulting in further lost income. 

‘Recruiting qualified staff is now also a key challenge and some nurseries are having to reduce the numbers of places they can offer. Early years professionals must be better supported with investment in training and skills so they can properly care for and educate our youngest children, many of whom have challenges and difficulties resulting from Covid restrictions.’

Kate Green MP, Labour’s shadow education secretary, said, ‘The Conservatives have over promised and under delivered on children’s recovery. They have no plans to boost wellbeing and social development despite children having months away from their friends while their miserly recovery funding and inadequate, poorly targeted tutoring programme are falling short of the targeted academic support needed.

‘Ministers must now listen to headteachers experience and expertise and ensure schools can deliver the activities and support needed to help every child reach their potential.

‘Children are excited to back with their friends in school and feel ambitious and optimistic about their futures. We must match this ambition and put children at the heart of our national recovery.’