Provision for early years learning including special needs is at risk due to a “concerning” lack of government funding commitment, MPs and councillors have warned.
A heavily critical report by the Commons Education Committee said there was “little strategic direction to government policy” and described the 30 hours childcare policy as a “car crash”.
The committee warned council funding was running out and decisions about early years learning were having to be made with little guidance from the Department for Education.
The report highlighted how money invested in early years education would save money later on through better outcomes as well as close the disadvantage gap between rich and poor families.
The report warned maintained nurseries, which were delivering excellent outcomes, were under particular pressure: “Maintained nursery schools cannot wait until the Spending Review.
“Funding decisions regarding staff and places for the next academic year are being made now, and the transitional funding already provided is running out.
“We recommend that the government should set out plans for, and commit to, fully funding maintained nursery schools by the end of the financial year.”
Local authorities also raised concern about the plight of maintained nurseries and demanded action from ministers.
Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, chair of the Local Government Association’s children and young people board, said: “Councils have grave concerns about the future of maintained nurseries if the current funding does not continue beyond 2020.
“This could have a detrimental impact on disadvantaged children and those with special educational needs, for whom maintained nurseries provide a lifeline of vital support.”
She added: “Provision is now under threat unless government commits to an extra year of funding in 2020/21 as part of wider work to find a long-term sustainable funding solution in the Spending Review.
“Despite the good intentions of the 30 hour free childcare scheme, insufficient funding is impacting on the quality of provision and support for children with special needs, as providers struggle to balance budgets.”
