Sutton Trust comment on EPI report on the early years workforce

Today the Education Policy Institute released a report finding that a significant proportion of early years settings are relying on the government’s furlough scheme, raising concerns that the childcare staffing crisis is set to worsen when the scheme ends.

Commenting on the Education Policy Institute’s report on the early years workforce, Sir Peter Lampl, chairman and founder of the Sutton Trust, said:

“It is deeply concerning to see further evidence of the pandemic’s damaging impacts on the early years sector. The Sutton Trust’s own research has highlighted that a third of early years providers in deprived areas believe they may have to close within a year.

“The early years are the vitally important first stage of the education process. We know that a high-quality workforce are an important part of delivering this, so it is worrying that this report suggests a likely worsening of the staffing crisis after the furlough scheme ends.

“It is vital that the sector is supported through these uncertain times, so that we are able to continue to provide the early learning and development that is so crucial for social mobility.”