7 September 2023

A new report from the Early Education and Childcare Coalition (EECC) has revealed that for 42% of British voters, childcare and early education reform will be key in their decision about who to vote for in the general election.
 
The report 'Pulse Check: Public attitudes towards early education and childcare' contains new research conducted by Claremont and More in Common for the EECC. The findings are a snapshot of voter attitudes towards the early education and childcare sector.
 
In August 2023, Twins Trust announced that we are one of more than 30 organisations and charities across England who work together as the EECC.
 
As a Coalition, we want to challenge the government to invest in an early education and childcare system that works for all. We know how important this is for families of multiples.
 
The report found that the majority of people in the UK believe that early education and childcare play a pivotal role in children's development. Most voters think early education and childcare is more than just a safe place for parents to drop off their kids, a majority (51%) think it's about supporting a child's development and wellbeing. Almost two-thirds (59%) of voters think that good early years education benefits the whole country, not just parents.
 
Speaking on behalf of the Coalition, Sarah Ronan, Acting Director for the Early Education and Childcare Coalition, said: "Right now, we have an opportunity to truly transform the future of early education and childcare through sustainable reform of the sector. Voters understand that we all benefit from an early education and childcare sector with the right investment. Politicians need to understand that, too and invest accordingly. 
 
"It's clear from our data that childcare reform is not just a priority for parents now but for future parents too, and for grandparents who often find themselves plugging the gap created by the current broken system. British voters have told us here that they think the early education workforce is underpaid and undervalued. Parents don't want 'cheap childcare' at the expense of quality or safety. They care about their children's experience, and importantly, they care about the people that care for and educate their children."
 
Over a third of voters (40%) support investing more taxpayers' money in early education and childcare even if it means higher taxes for everyone; this figure rises to 59% for people who are hoping to become a parent. However, as things stand, 44% of British people think those working in childcare and early education are underpaid and 31% believe they are undervalued. Almost half of all voters (49%) said that well-trained staff was an important factor when it came to providing good quality early education and childcare, with over a third (36%) saying the same about decent pay for staff.
 
Shauna Leven, Chief Executive of Twins Trust, said: "Childcare and early years education will be at the top of the list for our families when they think about who to vote for in the general election.

"As part of the Coalition, we want to make sure that a childcare system is in place that works for everyone, including families of multiples. We continue to campaign for change for all our families and we want politicians to understand what our families need."
 
Earlier this year in the Spring Budget, the Chancellor set out plans to invest more in childcare. The report has found that over two-thirds of voters (68%) think that it's a good idea in principle to expand childcare provision. Voters believe this will give parents the freedom to return to work or increase their hours (54%) and make children more sociable by playing with children their own age, as well as getting them ready for school (45%).
  
However, support for the Government's proposals drops to just 32% when the public is presented with criticisms about low funding rates, workforce strategy and lack of floor space - all essential reforms which are needed to make this investment a success. 
 
The new report comes as the Early Education and Childcare Coalition holds its official launch event today (7 September) in Westminster.  
 
The full report is available from the Early Education and Childcare Coalition's website.