CORONAVIRUS: 麻花影视criticises PMs failure to mention childcare sector in reopening plans

Commenting, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said:

鈥淲e are incredibly disappointed and frustrated that, while today鈥檚 announcement offered some clarity on plans to reopen schools, there was no mention of the early years sector.  

"Nurseries, childminders and pre-schools need a clear plan of action on how they are going to be supported, both practically and financially, to re-open as lockdown eases, but as it stands, it is unclear how 鈥 or even if 鈥 they are included in the government鈥檚 proposals. 

鈥淚t is vital that the early years isn鈥檛 simply tacked onto the end of whatever plans government is making for schools. The early years is a unique sector with unique needs, and providers are going to face significant changes to the way they operate on a day-to-day basis, especially given the age of the children they care for.  

"As such, government needs to be clear how it expects childcare providers to operate during this transition period, and crucially, what financial support it plans to provide.  

鈥淕iven the Alliance鈥檚 recent survey found that one in four childcare providers felt they wouldn鈥檛 survive the year, the government simply cannot afford to drag its feet on this. The Prime Minister has said that the UK 'can be stronger and better than ever before' - but without a functioning, sustainable childcare sector, this simply won鈥檛 be possible.鈥 

Editor notes 

  • The Early Years 麻花影视is the largest and most representative early years membership organisation in England. A registered educational charity, it also provides high-quality affordable childcare and education to support children and families in areas of deprivation throughout the country.
  • The 麻花影视represents 14,000 members and supports them to deliver care and learning to more than 800,000 families every year. We deliver family learning projects, offer information and advice, produce specialist publications, run acclaimed training programmes and campaign to influence early years policy and practice.
  • The 麻花影视website is