Speaking at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool this morning, the shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson announced that Sir David Bell, former chief inspector of schools at Ofsted, would be chosen to lead a ‘major’ new review to shape Labour’s ‘modern childcare system.
The review by Sir David, who has also held the role of permanent secretary at the Department for Education, would cover the following:
- Development of a plan to widen childcare eligibility promised by the Conservatives at the 2023 Budget.
- Ways to increase the amount of primary school-based early years provision due to falling birth rates.
- How to remove restrictions on local authorities from opening nursery provision.
- The childcare and early years workforce
Labour has said that the review would cost no money to carry out and that any policies implemented on the recommendation of the review, would be ‘fully cost and funded.’
'I am determined that new investment in childcare comes with ambitious reform'.
The shadow education secretary said, ‘Our ambition starts, as education starts, at the beginning of all our lives: our childcare system must be about life chances for children, as well as work choices for parents.
‘That is why I am determined that new investment in childcare comes with ambitious reform, to ensure early education is available in every corner of our country for every family and every child, to drive up standards for our youngest children and for the amazing people who support and teach them.’
The Early Years Alliance said it welcomed plans to carry out a review, but for it to have ‘genuine, long-lasting impact, those working in early years settings would need to play a key role in driving its direction and area of focus.’
The National Education Union (NEU) warned that Labour would need to ‘grapple with the funding issues and put nursery schools on a sure footing’ to achieve its goals.
The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) said it looked forward to working with Sir David Bell on the review.
Maths
Delivering her speech at the Labour Party Conference today, Phillipson also announced plans to redirect the Prime Minister’s focus on maths at age 16-18, to primary school level.
She said that Labour would look at introducing the ‘maths equivalent to phonics’.
Plans include:
- Extra training for primary school teachers who are not maths teachers, funded out of the £1.5bn Labour expects to raise from adding VAT to private school fees and other tax breaks.
- Helping nurseries develop ‘maths champions’ to encourage learning before school. Nursery World understands the shadow education secretary is referring to the existing National Day Nurseries Association’s Maths Champions programme.
NDNA’s chief executive Purnima Tanuku said, ‘We are delighted that Labour is keen to expand NDNA’s Maths Champions programme into more early years settings and primary schools.
‘We developed this programme to make a real difference to children’s learning and outcomes in maths by enhancing practitioners’ confidence in teaching and embedding early maths.’
The shadow education secretary also reconfirmed the party's plans to provide free breakfasts for primary school pupils.