Are parents happy with early years childcare? MPs hear evidence on affordability and safeguarding
The Education Committee will explore parents’ experience of early years childcare.
Meeting details
The Committee has been investigating the access, affordability and quality of early years provision, among other issues including the safeguarding of children in early years settings.
Witnesses, including the chief executives of online forum Mumsnet and the campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed, will give evidence on the challenges families encounter in navigating the early years system in England.
MPs are likely to ask about the affordability of childcare, including whether the government’s 30 funded hours are enough to truly cover the costs families face.
They are also likely to explore the role of parents in supporting children to be “school ready”, with the government pledging to ensure that 75% of children are ready for school by the end of Reception year, as well as parents’ views of Best Start Hubs.
Committee members will also explore whether parents have confidence in early years safeguarding and whether they feel their safeguarding concerns are taken seriously.