Executive Director, Early Education and Childcare Coalition, @sarahronan.bsky.social comments: “We are delighted to see the Government recognise that access to affordable childcare is essential in tackling the scourge of child poverty, and we welcome today’s landmark strategy." (1/9)

"This Budget brings significant support for many of the families who need it the most. We are delighted to see the two-child limit scrapped, and an increase to the amount of childcare support available to those on Universal Credit." (1/3)

We wholeheartedly back any rise in pay for a workforce that has been undervalued for too long. But, as our recent research with Dr Gillian Paull and Frontier Economics has shown, increases in the minimum wage hit early years harder than most sectors because so many staff are paid close to that rate.

Ahead of the Budget, and with the Child Poverty Strategy expected soon, members of the EECC are calling for action that strengthens the early education system and tackles child poverty at its roots. This is what we want to see in the coming days

This World Children's Day, we're calling on the Government to improve access to early education and childcare as part of its child poverty strategy. Early years provision helps families avoid hardship today, and reduces poverty over the course of a child's life. labourlist.org/2025/11/chil...

We’ve joined more than 100 organisations in calling on the government to scrap the two-child limit in full. Every child deserves the best start in life, yet this policy is pushing too many families into hardship. Read more here: www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli... @cpaguk.bsky.social

Our newsletter isn’t just for Coalition members. Get sector news, policy insights, research highlights and event updates straight to your inbox. Sign up here today www.earlyeducationchildcare.org/contact

Don’t miss these free learning opportunities from our members. On Nov 6th, Coalition Member, Dingley's Promise are hosting a free webinar packed with practical, evidence-based strategies to improve transitions into school for children with SEND Register here: bit.ly/4qGHk92

With the Best Start in Life strategy highlighting the role of private equity in early education, the Education Secretary has now further confirmed that the Government is monitoring consolidation among larger providers.

A new report from Bremner & Co reveals that while the Government has pledged to extend free school meals to all Universal Credit households from September 2026, 290,000 disadvantaged children under five will still miss out. Read more here: bremnerco.com/report-too-y...

Are you a parent in England who uses private nurseries or childminders and receives the childcare element of Universal Credit but struggles to pay for nursery meals? Please contact [email protected] if you would be willing to speak to a journalist.

In our latest guest blog Dr Sara Bonetti and Dr @nathanarcher.bsky.social explore the potential of an early years professional register: what it could achieve, the questions that still need to be answered, and what we can learn from other sectors. Read the full piece here: bit.ly/4obJyLK

Our Executive Director, @sarahronan.bsky.social, reflects on her own early years and how those experiences shaped her passion for the system in this feature for @nurseryworld.bsky.social Read the full piece on the link: www.nurseryworld.co.uk/content/feat...

Thanks to everyone who came to our packed out event at the Labour Party Conference, it was inspiring to see so many show their support @oliviabailey.bsky.social @mayaellismp.bsky.social @kamalpreetkaur.bsky.social @eyalliance.bsky.social @savechildrenuk.bsky.social @sarahronan.bsky.social

Join the Coalition for breakfast at the Labour Party Conference 📅Mon 29th Sept 🕘9-10am 📍Suite 3/4/5 of the Leonardo Hotel With panellists @oliviabailey.bsky.social @mayaellismp.bsky.social @kamalpreetkaur.bsky.social @eyalliance.bsky.social @savechildrenuk.bsky.social @sarahronan.bsky.social

Join our expert panel for breakfast at the Labour Party Conference Childcare Reform: Building a Legacy that Lasts Date: Mon 29 September Time: 9–10am Place: Suite 3/4/5, Leonardo Hotel @sarahronan.bsky.social @mayaellismp.bsky.social @oliviabailey.bsky.social @eyalliance.bsky.social

Are you a male working in an early year's setting? Join our Sector Advisory Panel! We are looking for a male nursery worker (non-managerial role), working in a PVI Setting nursery in England (outside of London) to join our advisory panel. 📅 Closing date: 28/09/25 🔗 More info: lnkd.in/emV66uXv

Don’t miss a thing. You don’t have to be a member of the Coalition to get our newsletter, packed with sector updates, policy analysis, research highlights and upcoming events.
 Stay in the loop by signing up here today www.earlyeducationchildcare.org/contact

"I recruited during Covid times for NHS 111 and thought that was tricky – this is a whole new ball game.” We were pleased to support NFER’s new research, which highlights the scale of the workforce challenge as quoted in this BBC piece. Read the full story here: www.bbc.com/news/article...

Today marks the final phase of the 30 hours expansion. Our director Sarah Ronan, warns that it would be 'unwise to think this is the end of the road [when] the sector is operating in really difficult financial circumstances'.

"Breaking the link between background and opportunity does not start at the school gate, it starts in the nursery doorway." Read our guest post on the Best Start in Life Strategy for Sutton Trust www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...

Under the current childcare system in England, many families are missing out on extra childcare support from government. @coalitionedcare.bsky.social Director Sarah Ronan reiterates the importance of ensuring the system delivers for all in our latest guest blog ⤵️ www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...

Media request 📢 Are you an early years provider in the North East struggling to meet demand this Sept either due to funding/staffing challenges? Or a parent who can't find the place they need? If you would be willing to speak to media today, please email us [email protected]

"Unless the government is prepared to tackle the thorny issue of low pay, it will never grow the early years workforce to meet demand, let alone improve its status or diversity." Our director, Sarah Ronan, writes for Tes magazine 👇 www.tes.com/magazine/ana...

The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood has launched seven animated films exploring the science behind early social and emotional development. These short videos show how everyday moments of connection can have a long-term positive impact on a child’s life. www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

While we all welcome the Government's vision for early years and stand ready to work in partnership to make it a reality, that won't happen without addressing the chronic underfunding of early years entitlements. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

📢Calling all small early years business owners! Coalition member, FSB wants your views on the future of skills, whether it’s apprenticeships, in-work training, or engaging with schools. Your insights will help shape key policies Take the survey: 🔗https://www.unbrandedfsbbigvoice.uk/c/r/Skills

📢 Almost half the public thinks the Government needs to do more to bring down the cost of childcare. Our annual Pulse Check report provides unique insight into how the public and parents view early years and the Government's efforts. Read it www.earlyeducationchildcare.org/pulse-check

The disadvantage gap at age five has widened to 4.7 months, according to the Education Policy Institute while the number of two-year-olds registered for the disadvantaged early years entitlements is down by 18% (DfE). Does the Best Start in Life Strategy include enough to tackle this? 1/2

Parents and the wider public think access to early education should be about a child's needs. Read more in our annual Pulse Check report ➡️ bit.ly/44CuL5J

NEW 📢 Families are paying an average of £1,000 per child for six weeks of holiday childcare, according to coalition member Coram Family and Childcare's annual holiday childcare survey. Read it here 👇 www.coram.org.uk/news/holiday...

Catch up on our Pulse Check webinar below 👇 We were delighted to be joined by @mayaellismp.bsky.social & panellists from @moreincommonuk.bsky.social @pregthenscrewed.bsky.social @eyalliance.bsky.social and @savechildrenuk.bsky.social youtu.be/iI-wdKg6gsc

A year into a Labour Government, public support for investing in early education and childcare continues to grow. But so do concerns about cost, availability and quality. In partnership with More in Common, our report explores how attitudes are shifting: www.earlyeducationchildcare.org/pulse-check

We’re thrilled to be shortlisted for Best Policy Initiative of the Year at the @ThirdSector Awards. It’s great to see recognition for everyone in our coalition who worked tirelessly to keep early education and childcare on the agenda. Thank you to all our members and supporters.

Today the DfE have published a new version of the EYFS statutory framework. We will continue to work with Coalition members to understand implications for children, families, early years professionals & providers before these changes take effect in September.

Don't miss our expert panel discussing the findings from the new Pulse Check report by The EECC & More in Common at our free webinar on Wednesday Speakers include: - Pregnant Then Screwed - Save The Children - Early Years Alliance - More in Common - Maya Ellis MP Sign up: bit.ly/EECCPulseChe...

Today’s Best Start in Life Strategy marks a new beginning for early education and childcare. This is a system that has, for too long, been under pressure, undervalued, and difficult for families to navigate. 1/

The roll-out of 1,000 Best Start Family Hubs is an important step in reinstating vital early help for families, hollowed out during austerity. We look forward to the Best Start in Life Strategy tomorrow to learn more about the Government's plans for early years. www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

Join us on Wednesday the 16th July at 12pm for the launch of the third annual Pulse Check report from the Early Education and Childcare Coalition and More in Common, hosted by Maya Ellis MP.
 Register here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/childcare-...

We welcome any effort to expand early years places, particularly as demand is set to peak in September. But the rollout of 200 school-based nurseries is not a silver bullet. This policy must sit within a wider strategy that tackles underfunding and supports the whole sector Read more: bit.ly/449MWQ1

We’re proud to support Coalition Member Early Years Alliance as they celebrate the National Week of Play this week. Play is central to how children learn, grow and thrive. This week is a great opportunity to shine a light on its importance. Read more: www.eyalliance.org.uk/playweek2025 #PlayWeek2025

It was encouraging to hear the Chancellor call nurseries part of our national infrastructure. If childcare is essential to growth and opportunity, it must be backed by long-term investment and strategy. We’ll be looking to the Spending Review for the detail observer.co.uk/news/nationa...

Coalition Director Sarah Ronan welcomes the announcement that more children will become eligible for free school meals from next year, including in many school-based nurseries. This is a positive step for children’s health, wellbeing and learning. Comment in full www.linkedin.com/posts/coalit...

Together with over 70 organisations, we are urging the Prime Minister to turn his commitment to early childhood into action. Every child, from conception to reception, should get the support they need to thrive, but this will only become reality with proper investment. Read more: buff.ly/RVogQQq

On 10th June, the day before the Spending Review, we'll be partnering with @thefabians at its Opportunity Mission Summit to lead a session on 'Fixing childcare and early education to close the opportunity gap'. 💬 Got something you want us to raise with @StephenMorganMP. Share it in the comments 👇

Coalition Director Sarah Ronan warns that the Government is backing providers into a corner over funded hours. Read more in The I inews.co.uk/news/educati...

Tomorrow at Nursery World’s Big Day Out our Director, Sarah Ronan, will be chairing the Big Debate She’ll be joined by brilliant voices: - LEYF (Coalition member) - Early Years Alliance (Coalition member) - NDNA (Coalition supporter) - Storal A crucial conversation. If you’re there, don’t miss it!

Investing in early education and childcare is one of the smartest investments we can make - for children, for parents, and for the economy. 💷 With the Spending Review less than a month away, this is the government’s chance to put its money where its mouth is and invest in our youngest citizens.

We’re looking for a Campaign & Programme Manager to join our team and drive a new three-year initiative focused on raising the status of the early years workforce. 📍 Home-based, with regular travel to Westminster 🕒 4 days/week (30 hours) 📅 Closing: 19 May 🔗 Apply now: tinyurl.com/4m449j6f

Are you a childminder or do you work in a private, voluntary, or school-based early years setting in England? Please take 10 minutes to complete this survey from coalition supporter the Local Government Association. 🔗 bit.ly/LGAEYSurvey 📅 Deadline: Wednesday 14 May, 12 noon 📣 Please share