Rescue and Reform: Transforming Early Education and Childcare in England

Early education and childcare in England is characterised by underfunding, high parent fees, eligibility criteria that locks out the most disadvantaged children, and poor pay and conditions for the early years workforce.  

Cofounded in 2023 by over 30 organisations, the Early Education and Childcare Coalition unites the voices of parents, children, providers, early years professionals and the wider business community, working together for investment and reform of early education and childcare. 

In 2024 this diverse group co-produced a manifesto calling on all political parties to rescue and reform the sector by guaranteeing that all childcare can access affordable, high-quality provision; establishing and investing in an early years workforce strategy; and committing to fair funding for all types of providers.

This was accompanied by a strategic influencing campaign aimed at driving early years up the public and political agenda.

It resulted in the new government committing to deliver an early years strategy and the largest ever increase to the Early Years Pupil Premium funding rates. 

Thanks to the dedication of our members, early years is now one of the top six priorities for the government’s Plan for Change, signalling a turning point in how we value the early years.