Voice Community has welcomed the Early Years Alliance’s success in obtaining documents in a Freedom of Information request that reveal that early years funding rates for 2020/21 were less than two-thirds of what government officials estimated to be the true cost of ‘fully funding’ the sector, that ministers knew the inadequate level of investment proposed would result in higher prices for parents of younger children, and that nurseries, pre-schools and childminders would be forced to use maximum statutory adult-to-child ratios.
Deborah Lawson, Assistant General Secretary with Community Union (Voice Community early years and education section), said:
“The Alliance should be congratulated for its success in finally obtaining these figures.
“We have all known for a long time that the sector is woefully underfunded. These figures are hard evidence of the extent of that underfunding, and the Government’s knowledge of the situation.
“There is already an early years recruitment and retention crisis, and that will only get worse unless the Government acts now.
“Staff need a national pay and conditions and career structure.
“We call on the Government to invest in the early years sector, which has a vital role in both children’s development and in post-pandemic economic recovery.”
In its recent report, The Future of Education, Voice Community highlighted early years members’ concerns, including that:
- staff in the early years sector do not feel valued;
- pay in the early years sector is too low;
- funding in the sector is inadequate and inconsistent; and
- young children have lost social skills during the pandemic.
The report’s recommendations included:
- value the sector with appropriate training, qualifications, and funding;
- ensure a fair wage is paid to every worker in the sector;
- fix the “free entitlement” so it is truly free and works for both early years settings and parents;
- career development for workers in early years;
- a focus on children’s social skills and mental wellbeing; and
- a return to learning through play.
If you are a member of Community and need help or advice, please contact us at help@community-tu.org or on 0800 389 6332.
Thank you. We have received your query
We have received your query and a member of our Service Centre Department will be in touch to discuss further with you.
Due to service demands it is not always possible for our advisors to reply to your query immediately. We aim to respond within 48 hours of receipt.
If your employer has invited you to a formal meeting (disciplinary, grievance or appeal) and you are seeking representation, if you have not already done so via this form, please provide us with all relevant supporting information including any notes/minutes from any investigation process and your email/letter of invitation, which should include full details of when and where the meeting is due to take place.
Please note that representation is not provided for investigation meetings.
If you have any further queries, please contact our Service Centre Department on 0800 389 6332 or at servicecentre@community-tu.org.
Not a member?
Let’s get to know each other.
"*" indicates required fields
"*" indicates required fields