Childcare scheme expansion ‘could jeopardise quality’

THE government’s expansion of funded childcare for working parents in England could affect the quality of provision or places for young children, Whitehall’s spending watchdog has said.

The risk of an influx of “inexperienced” early years staff, alongside higher staff to child supervision ratios for two-year-olds, may jeopardise the quality of childcare provision, according to the National Audit Office (NAO).

The findings are part of a report into the Government’s expanded offer of funded childcare for working families of younger children in England.

The NAO said “uncertainties” remain over whether the sector can expand to deliver enough places amid a lack of qualified staff and suitable space.

The Department for Education (DFE) has assessed its confidence in delivering the places required for the next two phases as “problematic”, the report said.

Only 34% of local authorities, surveyed by the DFE in March, were confident there would be enough places in their area this September to meet demand.

Local authorities, sector representatives and the DFE told the watchdog that “insufficient staff represents the main barrier to expansion”.

The report said: “Specifically, the risk of a large influx of more inexperienced staff and providers, alongside DFE changing staff-child supervision ratios for two-year-olds and practitioner qualifications, could jeopardise quality.”