Nursery World - Early years forgotten again

Where was the early years sector in the Government's White Paper on 'Levelling-Up'? Experts question the Government's decision to overlook the sector.

Claudine Bower-Crane of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research: 'Given the importance of ECEC (early childhood education and care), it is alarming that it has not been recognised in the Levelling Up White Paper'

Investment in education is always welcome, and as such the investment of an extra £4bn next year and £4.7bn in 2024/25 and announced in the Levelling Up White Paper is not to be snubbed. But we are left wondering why the Early Years sector has been ignored once again and what impact this will have on the provision of high-quality early education and childcare. This question is particularly important when considering the focus of the Levelling Up agenda is to remove regional disparities, but it is families in areas of disadvantage who are most in need of accessible and affordable early education and childcare (ECEC).

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