The Education Policy Institute (EPI) issued a new report which sets out a number of recommendations relating to education policy for political parties to take forward to the next general election

The sector has been battling austerity for over a decade and following the pandemic, the situation for providers has gotten even worse.

For the first time, and in partnership with Nuffield Foundation, the EPI is providing a summary of what parties can do to support the sector and mitigate the challenges it is facing.

EPI education policy recommendations

The report highlights key interventions that the current and future government can make. For the early years sector, this includes:

1. Simplifying the funding system and weighting it more heavily toward children from low-income families and children with SEND
2. Publishing and implementing an early years strategy that will create a sustainable model for providers that is also affordable for families, including rolling out the Family Hub model in England.

Natalie Perera, chief executive, Education Policy Institute stated in the report:

“This report sets out the key education challenges that any incoming government will need to tackle if they are serious about improving outcomes and reducing inequalities.

“In putting forward recommendations, it draws on the best available evidence as well as insights from a network of leading experts from the early years to higher education. It does not claim to have all the answers but is intended to guide policymakers and politicians to issues that matter and interventions that are effective.”

The EPI also noted that around 40% of the disadvantage gap at age 16 is already evident by age 5, with disadvantaged children being, on average, over 4 months behind their more affluent peers.

Early years workforce

It’s no surprise to anyone that the sector is struggling with recruitment and retainment. Last year the sector workforce comprised around 339,800 paid staff, however long standing and current issues are causing more and more people to leave the sector.

The report notes that the challenges seem to be more acute in PVI settings than in school-based settings, with reasons for high turnover including low pay, unfavourable working conditions and unrealistic staff expectations of the role.

A relaxation of rations from 1:4 to 1:5 for 2-year-olds in England from September 2023, to align with Scotland and other countries, was announced in the 2023 Spring Budget. However, EPI education policy recommendations suggest that higher ratios pose risks for staff morale and turnover which may indirectly harm children’s outcomes.

While higher pay is likely to help improve workforce sustainability, it will not address challenges around continuing professional development and career progression. The report recommends:

1. Establishing greater parity between teacher pay and salaries found in competitor occupations
2. Supporting retention through a focus on improving teacher wellbeing, workload and flexible working arrangements
3. Recognising the benefits of high-quality CPD and supporting its delivery.  

Purnima Tanuku OBE, chief executive of NDNA, said: “This report rightly highlights that high quality early childhood education and care is crucial to improving all children’s life chances and lifelong learning.  This is particularly the case for children who need more support including those with SEND and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Our own research has highlighted these challenges.  Equal access to high quality services for all children is the only solution to close the disadvantage gap and give all children the start they deserve.  

“The current early years pupil premium, just £342 per year is not sufficient to support children in their early years of education and must be reviewed and increased to be more in line with the higher rates given to primary (£1,455) and secondary pupils (£1,035).  Investment in our children in the first five years of their lives is crucial to their lifelong learning and development. 

“Currently the sector is facing a workforce crisis. Political parties need to address the huge challenges currently facing early years education by simplifying the funding system and removing the complexities around what parents are entitled to and how to claim. It’s essential that they create a sustainable model for providers and affordability for families. This can only be done with a long term strategy and a clear workforce plan.”

Commenting, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said:

“Education, and crucially the early years, must play a central role in any political party’s manifesto in the lead up to the next general election and beyond. Anything less will not only dismiss the importance of the first five years of a child’s life, but completely underestimates the acute challenges the early years is facing.  

“As the EPI’s report highlights, it’s clear that the existing early years funding system is not working. Not only are providers receiving funding that falls far short of what is needed to deliver high-quality care and education, but it is overly complex and fails to put the needs of both families and providers at the heart.  As such, it is absolutely right for the EPI to call for a focus on simplifying funding, a long-term early years strategy and ensuring that every child, regardless of if they have additional needs or come from a disadvantaged background can easily access early years places.  

“However, regardless of which political party is in government next, any early years reform plans must not put further strain on a workforce that is already teetering on the brink. In addition, any policy proposals must ensure that the sector is a central voice in any decisions, both to safeguard the future of the sector and ensure that any changes benefit providers and families alike.”