Childcare and Early Education APPG
This forum will help you keep up to date regarding the work of the Childcare and Early Education APPG of which we are sponsors. The Early Years Alliance, the National Day Nurseries Association, CACHE, Tops Day Nurseries, Dingley's Promise and the Montessori Group are also sponsors, committed to making sure the voice of early years is heard in Parliament.
The APPG for Childcare and Early Education was constituted in September 2017 as a timely response to a growing number of issues facing the sector, including the Government’s 30-hour ‘free’ childcare policy, business rates, and VAT. This cross-party group provides a forum to constructively examine and debate the role that policy makers can play to support childcare and early education providers, and to help ensure that every child gets the best start in life.
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As co-sponsors of the APPG, we are pleased to invite you to the next meeting of the APPG for Childcare and Early Education on 14th December at 2pm. This session will explore different pedagogical approaches in early education and hear from experts and proponents on their benefits. Please let us know if you would like to attend, and you will receive the joining details in due course. If you're wary of attending an APPG- not sure what is involved or whether you will be asked to say something- don't worry! You don't have to say anything, you can have your video off so you can relax, watch and learn. Usually, APPG meetings are held in Westminster but for obviou…
Last reply by Helen, -
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There is a debate in Westminster Hall today to discuss the funding situation in the Early Years sector. You can find out more here, including a link to watch live, as well as to follow transcripts after the event. The APPG for childcare and early education are deeply concerned about the future sustainability of the sector - and over 112,000 people have signed a parliamentary e-petition calling for an independent review of childcare funding and affordability.
Last reply by AnonyMouse_30128, -
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The FSF continue to be proud sponsors of the APPG pressing the Government for support for our sector. In the Comprehensive Spending Review the Chancellor must ensure the sustainability of the sector. We are part of the infrastructure upon which the economic recovery of our country depends. The APPG have written to the Chancellor expressing our concerns. APPG on CEE - CSR letter to DfE.pdf APPG on CEE - CSR letter to HMT.pdf
Last reply by BenTapestrySupport, -
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The APPG on Childcare and Early Education have just published the results of a survey of 1300 parents and carers conducted in January this year. The survey highlights parents’ concerns about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early years settings, the wellbeing of their children and the future of the sector. A few stand-out statistics include: · 86% of respondents said their early years provider had a significant impact on the learning, social and emotional development of their child. · Of parents surveyed, only a third felt the Government was providing sufficient financial support for parents and carers with children under 5. …
Last reply by Jules, -
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As part of the APPG's Childcare and Early Education Week, the APPG are conducting a survey of parents, carers, and service users of early years settings to shape the future work of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Childcare and Early Education. Here is the link if you would like to share it with any of your parents and carers: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RSJM9LX The aim of this special week is to raise the importance of early education and keep it on the parliamentary agenda.
Last reply by Jules, -
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The APPG for Childcare and Early Education met remotely in mid-November to discuss the priorities for a meaningful review of childcare policy. The FSF are one of the sponsors of the APPG, and Helen and Jack from our Education Team were there. The meeting was well attended, with over one hundred interested parties including sponsors, practitioners, and parliamentarians – among many others. The key speakers were Helen Donohue, Julian Grenier and Dr Laura Jana. They presented their key reasons and top considerations for completing a comprehensive review of childcare policy. Some of the many topics discussed were the outdated funding formula, the lifelong importance of qualit…
Last reply by Jules, -
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Yesterday Helen and I went to London for the publication of the APPG report into the financial sustainability of the Early Years PVI sector. The Minister, Nadhim Zahawi MP, attended the meeting to hear the recommendations from the year of research carried out by the APPG (of which, the FSF are co-sponsors). The report highlights the very challenging circumstances in which we find ourselves and sets out some positive recommendations that we hope the Minister will bear in mind when representing the sector to the Chancellor prior to the next Comprehensive Spending Review. We are all very well aware of the frustrations and irritation felt by the sector and there is a shared u…
Last reply by AnonyMouse_53504, -
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Last Wednesday I went to a meeting at the House of Lords to discuss the recently published report on sector Financial Sustainability (more details here). I was invited to meet Lord Watson of Invergowrie following the APPG meeting in July. Lord Watson wanted to understand in more detail the issues facing the sector and how we (at the FSF) heard the voices of our members and contributed to the sector wide discussion. I was able to share with him our frustrations about the low funding rates, the problems we all have recruiting and holding onto qualified, motivated staff, the issues we face with rising staff costs, rates and utilities and the concerns we all have about provis…
Last reply by FSFRebecca, -
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Last Monday Helen and I attended the second inquiry session for the Childcare and Early Education APPG at Westminster. The meeting was chaired by Ruth George MP (in the absence of Tulip Siddiq MP who is on maternity leave). We were pleased that the following MPs and members of the House of Lords attended: Ben Bradley MP (Con) Andrea Jenkyns MP (Con) Liz McInnes (Lab) Karin Smyth (Lab) Baroness Deech (CB) Baroness Howe of Idlicote (CB) Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (UUP) Baroness Prosser (Lab) This inquiry session was to put questions to a panel of witnesses who have specific knowledge about the finances involved in the PV…
Last reply by FSFRebecca, -
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The meeting held in London on Wednesday 14th November reconfirmed the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Child Care and Early Education for another year. Chair, Tulip Siddiq, was joined by MPs committed to representing the early years sector. With the MPs in place the inquiry into the financial sustainability of the sector was launched. The parliamentarians in attendance quizzed witnesses regarding the financial sustainability of the sector. As you will have read in the sector press* and in the MPs' own press releases there was wide representation from the sector including parents, nursery owners and managers, membership and training organisations. It was unsurprising …
Last reply by FSFRebecca,
