New Education Committee inquiry into early years sector 

The Education Committee has launched an inquiry into the early years sector, looking at issues around its workforce, families’ access to services and the quality of outcomes for young children. 
 
The inquiry will look at how the recent expansions of childcare entitlements under the current and previous government have impacted the sector.  
 
The cross-party Committee will examine the Government’s Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life Strategy, announced in July. This included an expansion of ‘Best Start Family Hubs’; £4,500 incentives for early years teachers to work in disadvantaged areas; Ofsted inspections of early years settings every four years; and stronger links between nurseries and schools. 
 
The Committee will look at whether the Government’s new policies will support its aim for 75% of children to achieve a ‘good level of development’ at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage by 2028. 
 
There will also be a focus on how the Government can ensure the sector can be inclusive to families across the country, including areas that have become ‘childcare deserts’, and inclusive to those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 
 
The new inquiry also comes after Ofsted published data showing that the number of childminders in England fell by 5% in the year to April 2025, having fallen by 4% in the previous year. 
 
Education Committee Chair Helen Hayes MP said: “The early years sector has seen significant reforms in recent years in terms of how services are provided and funded. 
 
“This inquiry will take stock of the recent changes and the outcomes for young children and families, as well as the implications for the wide range of settings delivering early education and childcare. 
 
“We will also question experts and those on the front line about how the Government’s new strategy could deliver improvements and reverse a worrying decline in the number of children starting school before meeting key development milestones. 
 
“Many in the sector have welcomed recent announcements from the Department for Education. The Education Committee will now look at whether the proposals will deliver on its ambitions.”