About Early Years
A robust sector research programme
From delivery costs to workforce challenges, the comprehensive About Early Years research programme was launched in 2017 by independent EY research experts, Ceeda. We produce evidence and insight to inform early years policy and practice, both at a national level and within individual settings.
Research is conducted across the year with a representative panel of registered day nurseries, pre-schools and childminders in England. Working with a sector-led advisory group, the programme delivers timely, relevant analysis you can use with confidence.
Get involved and join the panel, you will enjoy tailored analysis to support your planning and inform policy direction too.
What will a sweeping Conservative victory mean for the early years sector?
The key message is more of the same. There will be no expansion of ‘free-entitlement’ places under a new Conservative administration, and the funding freeze will continue. In the 2020/21 financial year, independent analysis by Ceeda indicates the sector will face a funding deficit of £824 million, allowing for pay inflation of 3.6%, CPI inflation of 1.5% and the impact of fee cross-subsidy across age groups. Click to read the full story
The 2019 About Early Years annual report is out! Packed full of sector facts, download FREE from our reports page
Your A to Z of trends and challenges in the early years sector, our annual report rounds-up research from across the year and all the latest official statistics, from capacity and occupancy, to the funding deficit and workforce challenges.
With a funding gap of £662 million in 2019/20 and a funding promise of just £66 million in the recent spending review the sector will be hoping for better news on 13 December. See our full election briefing for more details.
But why stop at reading party manifestos? Why not come together with the sector and share your own ideas about policy solutions that could work for every child, deliver best value for the Treasury, support a thriving sector and give the early years workforce the status and pay they deserve?
We invite you to join us in the #TheBigDebate, on 23 January in central London or via live web-stream. With a new Government in place, and no doubt new promises to deliver, there will be lots to discuss. Read more about it HERE
Download our annual report FREE from our reports page.
