An article by the Independent stated Phillipson is aware of the challenges that face the early years sector of staff shortages and pressure on local authorities to increase their capacity in schools.
According to the DfE, around 70,000 additional places and 35,000 early years staff will be needed for the expansion to 30 funded hours next September.
Phillipson previously stated that early years will be her number one priority during her time as education secretary and the article shares her acknowledgement that training and support must be offered to childminders, practitioners and school staff in the early years sector. The early years are experiencing a significant recruitment and retention crisis and the new scheme requires more early years workers to care for children within the new 300 nurseries.
Phillipson stated on a BBC Radio 4 interview: 'People who work in early years education and childcare do some of the most important work you can ever do in terms of their contribution to children’s life chances and to our country, and we’re looking very carefully at what more we have to do around training and support and progression because it’s just not right at the moment, I completely accept that.'
Our director of the Institute for Early Years at Birth to 19, Rebecca Oberg, comments on her hope for the future of early years and support from Bridget Phillipson:
On Tuesday I listened to Bridget Phillipson tell us about her first 100 days in office as Education Secretary. She told us that she was hearing the same message wherever she goes. FE/HE leaders, primary and secondary heads have all said to her that more needs to be done in children's Early Years, as that's where the foundations for learning are laid. She added that Early Years is a priority for the government.
I feel optimistic that this is the case.
Today, as I sit in London at the DfE/NCB's Early Years Stronger Hub Shared Learning Event, Phillipson has announced that schools can now apply for capital funding to create the much needed childcare spaces, in order to meet the needs of the expanded childcare offer. This is due to begin in April 2025. It is reassuring to hear her say "We’re looking very carefully at what more we have to do around training and support and progression, because it’s just not right at the moment, I completely accept that" and “When I said early years education was my number one priority, I meant it, and that’s why I’m so delighted today that we’re inviting schools to bid to open nurseries within them.”
But, I'm not going to hide the fact that I have concerns about the offer. Are spaces in schools going to be appropriate for very young children? Will there be increases in the Early Years funding model to ensure the investment can be sustained, and that high quality practice is delivered? Where will the circa 35k staff needed come from, when the sector is already at breaking point? And a point that is particularly close to my heart, so well put by Neil Leitch, CEO of Early Years Alliance commented "With private and voluntary early years settings delivering the vast majority of places, it’s critical that the government recognises the valuable contribution that this part of the sector can make to delivering the places that children and families need – not just as potential delivery partners to schools, but as standalone providers in and of themselves.”
As a long time advocate of the importance of the Early Years sector it is refreshing to hear a government minister saying “People who work in early years education and childcare do some of the most important work you can ever do in terms of their contribution to children’s life chances and to our country, and we’re looking very carefully at what more we have to do around training and support and progression because it’s just not right at the moment, I completely accept that.” I accept, as she added, that they can't change everything overnight, but they are really trying.
I'm watching this space closely - come on Bridget, don't let us down!
To read more about the government's new Early Years mission click here
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