senedd.wales
The nine recommendations indicate a way forward for the early years childcare sector in Wales; a sector that has been under pressure for a number of years as discussed in the report.
We shared the concern of our members with the Committee about the current challenges arising from the funded childcare rates and the financial pressures the sector has been impacted by [i] and were pleased to see the report recognising that the challenges the sector faces need addressing (pg-43-45).
Childcare and the early years are incredibly important to the lifelong outcomes for children. The evidence demonstrating the benefit of giving children a good start in life continually describes how positive early years experiences lay the foundations for future success and these experiences are 'priceless'. The brain architecture for future learning and lasting health is established during early years.
'Their Future: Our Priority?' outlines how strengthening the Early Childhood Play, Learning, and Care (ECPLC) policy can positively contribute to the childcare provision in Wales. This policy area is one we have called for further development of with an aspiration to make ECPLC statutory, not only for the childcare and playwork sectors, but also for education and for all children up to the age of 7.
Our Chairperson, Dr David Dallimore, who provided oral evidence to the Equality and Social Justice Committee, has provided significant research and policy evidence outlining the potential impact of an integrated ECPLC approach, known internationally as Early Childhood Education and Care:
[i] Since 2019 the accumulated increase for the Living Wage in the UK was 28.4%. During the same period, the funding rate for funded childcare places rose by just 11.1%. Over the same period inflation increase by 24.8% pushing up all costs for the provider of childcare to meet.
The benefits of children attending childcare are that this early socialisation and developmentally appropriate play-based contributes strongly to the development of the whole child, alongside engaged and caring family care.
This video by Play Wales demonstrates why play is so important, and what children think about their play experiences. Alongside play, we also know the incredible benefit of developmental movement, creative learning and the Welsh language has, the kinds of activities childcare provides on a daily basis to help children develop.
"The recommendations will need to be considered by the Welsh Government and will require further investment into the early years sector and the workforce. Investing early to support all children benefits the whole of society, not only families with children, as demonstrated by Professor Heckman.
I hope that the Cabinet support the recommendations made in this report to enhance the early years sector, the workforce, and increase the focus on child-centred early years experiences."
- David Goodger (CEO, Early Years Wales)
For media enquiries, please contact:
David Goodger, [email protected]
Unit 1, Coopers Yard, Curran Road, Cardiff. CF10 5NB
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 029 2045 1242
Copies of this document can also be obtained in accessible formats including Braille, large print, audio or hard copy from: Equality and Social Justice Committee Welsh Parliament Cardiff Bay CF99 1SN. Tel: 0300 200 6565. Email: [email protected]. X: @SeneddEquality.