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Children in London ‘at risk’ of falling behind due to the pandemic

Disadvantaged under-fives, who are missing out on their early years entitlement in the capital due to the impact of the pandemic, are at risk of falling behind and not being ‘school-ready’, a report by London Councils warns.

Financial challenges facing the early years sector has led to a loss of providers in some London neighbourhoods, which is leading to gaps in provision.

Concerns about safety have also had an impact on parental confidence and take up of places.

In January 2020, 59 percent of eligible two-year-olds in London accessed their free 15-hours of early education, compared to 69 percent nationally, according to the
Department for Education’s statistics for provision for children under five years of age. 

Many boroughs are concerned about the impact of a lack of early education for an extended period of time, will have on children’s personal, social and emotional development and wellbeing.

There is also widespread concern that young Londoners are at risk of losing key support for their development at a crucial point in their young lives, which will have long term implications for their attainment and outcomes.

The report says, ‘G
oing forward, if fewer children access early years education, primary schools will have to provide more support to address any gaps in school readiness in reception year and beyond.’

Councillor Elizabeth Campbell, London Councils’ executive member for schools and children’s services, said, ‘London’s children are facing massive disruption to their early education because of the Covid-19 pandemic. If we do not act now, this could have serious consequences when they start primary school and beyond, especially for children from more deprived communities. Nobody wants to see children not being ‘school ready’ and failing to catch-up as they get older.’

The report, undertaken in September and October 2020 by London Councils, involved a survey of London borough Heads of Early Years to investigate the key issues relating to early years and childcare across the capital. Focus groups were held in November and December 2020 and 26 boroughs completed the survey.

It
includes a five point plan of recommendations for how best to support the childcare sector and the young children they care for, at this challenging time.

It found that in 20 London boroughs, many providers are concerned for the future of their business, particularly smaller providers serving more disadvantaged communities.

One borough found that 60 percent of providers have accrued debts as a consequence of Covid-19; 69 percent expect to operate at a loss over the next 6 months, and 51 percent are considering redundancies.

Boroughs also raised concerns about the loss of flexible, affordable providers, particularly in areas with higher levels of deprivation. This could have a considerable impact in terms of widening inequalities if children from disadvantaged backgrounds are less able to access early education, holding back their development and leaving them at risk of falling behind their peers, the report outlines.

Councillor Campbell said, ‘London Councils’ new report outlines a five point plan for local and national government that will reduce the impact of the turbulence of the past year on these children.

‘We have recommended protecting existing nursery budgets by using last year’s headcount figures, as well as announcing long-term funding plans for maintained nursery schools to give them future certainty.

‘Devolving unspent allowances to local government would also ensure money already committed to early years is not lost when it is most needed. We propose investing this funding in local initiatives to reach out to families with young children and improve attendance, as well as further supporting childcare and nursery providers at this challenging time.’

The Five Point Plan, with recommended actions for national and local government, is as follows:

1. Central government to ensure there is sufficient interim funding to protect the sector from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic
2. Central government to devolve unspent allowances for disadvantaged 2 year olds to local authorities to increase take up
3. Central government to allocate unspent allowances for tax-free childcare to local authorities to support local early years provision and home learning
4. Central government to guarantee long term funding for Maintained Nursery Schools
5. London local government to promote the benefits of early years education to families