Doncaster MP warns childcare sector is on brink of collapse

A Doncaster MP has said the childcare sector is on the verge of collapse unless central government steps in to provide targeted financial aid.
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Doncaster Central MP Dame Rosie Winterton, has called on ministers to target monetary support for nurseries, childminders and other providers at risk of closure during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dame Rosie has written to the Secretary of State for Education to urge his department to act.

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The MP has warned about the ‘devastating impact’ that mass childcare closures would have on working parents, disadvantaged children around the country’s economic recovery.

Doncaster Central MP Dame Rosie WintertonDoncaster Central MP Dame Rosie Winterton
Doncaster Central MP Dame Rosie Winterton

In Doncaster, the number of childcare providers has reduced by 68 in the last five years, and research by the Early Years Alliance suggests that a quarter ‘may not survive’.

Dame Rosie said: “Childcare providers were struggling before this crisis, with thousands closing every year, but this crisis poses an existential threat to those that have managed to survive years of underfunding.

“The UK Government has consistently ignored the needs of nurseries, childminders and other early years providers in this crisis, and now a quarter fear they may be forced to close.

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“This would be devastating for families that rely on childcare, and it would be a huge setback for our economic recovery from Covid-19 which relies on parents being able to go back to work.

“It’s time the Government recognised the importance of childcare and early education for our economic recovery, and brought forward a proper plan to save the early years sector.”

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