The Early Years Alliance has now joined the Early Education and Childcare Coalition (EECC) that has been formed with the goal of challenging all political parties to “be more ambitious on early education and childcare reform in England”. 

The Early Education and Childcare Coalition (EECC) has been developed by gender equality thinktank the Women’s Budget Group, and funded by the Kiawah Trust, a charitable foundation that supports initiatives to tackle educational and gender inequality. 

The coalition aims to shape future policy for the sector with the benefit of insight and expertise from leading early years voices. 

The EECC consists of 30 leading organisations and charities including the Early Years Alliance, as well as Save the Children, the National Children’s Bureau, UNICEF, and other leading voices in the sector. 

The coalition will work with all political parties to help them prioritise the early years sector at the next general election, establishing an early education and childcare system that works for all with good pay, fair conditions, and adequate funding. 

Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said: “The formation of this coalition could not come at a more pivotal moment for the early years. There is no doubt that having so many voices from across the education, children’s, parenting, and business sectors come together in this way sends a hugely powerful message to the government about the vital importance of early education and care.  

“As an organisation committed to fighting for sustainable, affordable and high-quality early years provision underpinned by child-centred, evidenced-based government policy, we are incredibly pleased to be part of this important movement.”