Making a better offer

A few weeks ago I was delighted to be asked to become Labour’s shadow minister with responsibility for early years. I jumped at the opportunity without a moment’s hesitation because I’m determined we get early years right.

In my relatively short time in Parliament, before being appointed shadow early years minister I was very interested in the policy area. However, my interest in early years goes back much further and deeper than my time on the green benches. When my first daughter was young, I did my best to hold down a job playing troubled mum Trisha Armstrong on the Corrie cobbles while balancing childcare and being the best mother I could be. From my own experiences I know how transformative being able to access high-quality childcare should be – I also know parents need to be able to afford it.

All the research shows us the first few years can set the tone for a lifetime, therefore it goes without saying that we need to get it right and I want you, the experts, to help me.

My door will always be open to those who want me to know something or show me how to get childcare right. Luckily, I’m not going to be short of offers. Since the announcement I’ve been inundated by emails and calls from mums, childcare providers and charities offering support and looking for help. It’s clear from those in the know that change is needed.

QUESTION OF FUNDING

I’ve also come to quickly understand that childcare providers aren’t shy of sharing their opinions. A couple of weeks ago I opened a survey aimed at settings and asked them about the incoming 30 free hours policy, a Tory flagship that comes into effect in September. Within a few days I’d received more than 600 responses and I hope to build a productive, open relationship in the months and years ahead.

My survey wasn’t scientific but, due to the volume of responses, I feel I’ve gleaned a good idea of the view from the sector – and it doesn’t make for happy reading.

Sixty-seven per cent of responders told me the Tory’s much-lauded plan to offer 30 hours’ free childcare will have a negative effect on their setting. Your comments told me of chronic underfunding and a bureaucratic system that’s difficult to negotiate. It can’t be right that just weeks before what should be a big step forward for settings, parents and children, childcare providers are having sleepless nights as the funding offer from Government is significantly less than their hourly rate and they are worried they won’t be able to stay viable.

I’ve been trying to get some information out of the Government recently, including basic things like how many parents they expect to take up the offer of 30 hours.

It’s disappointing they are unwilling to tell me, but perhaps not surprising, as startling research from the NDNA found that only 44 per cent of nurseries responding to its survey said they would be providing the 30 hours, with 35 per cent still undecided – with only a few months to go until full roll-out. Eighty-five per cent of nurseries said they are underfunded, with the average shortfall being £1.68 per child per hour. It’s deeply concerning that if so few nurseries provide places, we could end up with a shortfall of 50,000 places.

I know that 30 hours is just one piece of the job, but it seems there are big problems with the policy, so I’m up for the challenge of highlighting them and getting Government to take action.

Of course, it’s not all about what the Tories are doing; I want to build an inspiring proposal to take to the voters and implement it when Labour are next in power.

I’m excited when I see innovation in the sector, like the new nursery opening in September sharing space with a care home, or Coventry and Warwickshire introducing Baby Boxes for all newborn babies, which have helped to reduce the infant mortality rate in Finland. These are just two new initiatives I’m looking forward to watching grow in the coming year.

I also understand that we need to get the big, national policies right. I believe Labour’s manifesto made positive strides in this area as, on the doorstep during the general election, parents of young children knew it was the Labour Party on their side, and we’ll act when next in government. The Labour Party will properly fund free childcare and extend it to two-year-olds, we’ll increase maternity pay to 12 months and we’ll halt closures to Sure Start centres (1,200 and counting under the Conservatives). We’ll also transition to a qualified, graduate-led workforce by increasing staff wages and enhancing training opportunities because our early years workers are some of the worst paid and we’ve got to do something about it.

I’m looking forward to building on this offer in the coming months.