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By Rachel Lawler

The Children’s Commissioner has called for a “transformative” new model for early education and childcare, in her report.

The report argues that as rising costs make private providers increasingly unsustainable, schools could help “address the early education challenge” by using ‘underused space’ given that the number of pupils is set to drop in the next 10 years.

It states: "Currently, rent or mortgage payments account for 12% of private providers’ costs, and other costs (including utilities) account for 11% - these are only likely to increase in the short term, and may make many childcare settings unsustainable. Opening up schools to provide more early years education would address both these issues."

Other recommendations in the report include increasing numbers of childminders, simplifying early years funding, further steps to monitor children’s progress and reforms for parental leave.

Optimistic vision
In the introduction to the report, Rachel de Souza commented: “I am optimistic that we can implement solutions to provide childcare and early education that is trusted, affordable, accessible, and nurturing for families. Some of the solutions I have proposed are ones that I myself have implemented first-hand and seen the positive results of when I was running schools as a headteacher.  Now is the moment that we can rollout these solutions further to benefit more children and more families.”

Long-term vision
Neil Leitch, CEO of the ��������, commented: "Over recent days, we have seen a whole range of seemingly random, ill-thought-out and in many cases, completely unworkable proposals for early years reform from government. As such, we share the Children's Commissioner's view that what both the sector and families need is a long-term, ambitious vision for childcare and early education in this country, and not more tinkering around the edges.

"That said, it is disappointing that while this report rightly recognises that the currently early years funding system isn't working, it fails to acknowledge that the only way to solve this problem is by substantially increasing investment into our vital sector. Extending existing offers across more age groups without tackling this fundamental issue will only exacerbate an already-dire situation.

PVI provider focus 
"What's more, with private and voluntary providers currently delivering the vast majority of early years places in this country, the suggestion that we should simply accept that those settings that are struggling are likely to become unsustainable in the long term and look to schools to deliver early years places in their place, is one we find deeply concerning. Those working in our sector have a wealth of very specific knowledge and expertise built up over years of experience supporting early learning and development and the suggestion that this could be so easily replaced is incredibly misguided."

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