Responding to the Early Years Alliance report which warns that
the childcare sector is at risk of mass closures without urgent
government intervention, Cllr , Chair of the Local
Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, said:
“Childcare providers have been a vital part of the nation’s
response to coronavirus and councils have been working closely
with them to ensure that vulnerable children and critical workers
have the childcare they need.
“This report reflects the concerns councils have repeatedly
raised with government about the financial pressure facing the
sector.
“While early years and childcare providers have been asked to
step up in the same way that schools have in recent months, their
costs have not been covered in the same way.
“These problems will not go away anytime soon. Limits on the
number of children who can attend settings and reduced demand
from parents mean that settings simply cannot raise the income
they usually would. This is already putting businesses, jobs and
childcare places at risk.
“Having enough childcare places will be essential to support
families and get the economy moving again, while supporting
children’s development and getting them ready for school. It is
therefore vital that the Government urgently provides additional
funding at a national level to protect childcare providers and
see them through this crisis.”
