Budget 2022, a new deal for early years

The pandemic has demonstrated just how crucial Early Years services1 are for parents, children and the economy. However, the sector is in crisis. Historic under-investment by government and a broken system have resulted in:

• A majority of Early Years Professionals earning below the Living Wage

• The highest childcare fees in the European Union

• Services experiencing a recruitment and retention crisis undermining sustainability

• Quality for children undermined by high staff turnover

In Budget 2022, the Government can implement a New Deal for Early Years and move towards a public service model that is appropriately funded2. By significantly increasing investment and implementing a new model, the sector can begin the transformation to a new system that is high quality for children, affordable for parents, pays educators a professional wage and ensures sustainable services.