Early years education and childcare key to inclusivity: new report launched
A report concludes these two policy areas are crucial for reducing inequalities in children's life chances and enabling greater participation in the work market, especially for women.
The report on Early Years Education and Childcare Provision in West Yorkshire was written by Yorkshire and Humber Policy Engagement and Research Network (Y-PERN) Policy Fellow Dr Tom Haines-Doran from Leeds University Business School and a research team comprising Karen Arzate Quintanilla, Dr Lilith Brouwers from the School of Sociology and Social Policy, Dr Jo Burgess, Dr Amy Creaser, Dr Claire Smithson, Dr Jack Simpson, and Dr Amiee Code and Dr Erin Dysart of the School of Education.
Led by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the report brings together national and regional evidence and takes a systems mapping approach for the West Yorkshire Early Years Education and Childcare sector.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:
I welcome this first of its kind report from the Yorkshire and Humber Policy Engagement and Research Network, and we are already taking action to respond to the recommendations.
“The evidence is clear – our early years sector in West Yorkshire and across the country is facing significant challenges, and we must take action now to address the concerns of a workforce that is undervalued and underpaid, and of families who deserve consistent and high-quality childcare services.”
The research was developed in response to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Local Growth Plan, which identified early years education and high-quality childcare provision as key enabling policy areas for an inclusive economy, performing a dual role for families by:
- Transforming the life chances of children through high-quality early years education, reducing entrenched inequalities at the earliest opportunity.
- Enabling greater parental and carer participation in the labour market, especially for women, through affordable and available childcare.
The Y-PERN research report offers new insights into how West Yorkshire Combined Authority can best support the revitalisation of the Early Years Education and Childcare sector, alongside Local Authorities and providers.
The Leeds researchers’ involvement in this report exemplifies how the University is fostering a culture of collaboration between interdisciplinary research teams and policy makers in the region. Interdisciplinary research, community engagement and cross-sector ventures are strongly aligned with our core Research Culture values.
Read the full story here: West Yorkshire Local Growth Plan
Follow Dr Erin Dysart on LinkedIn
Dr Lilith Brouwers is currently working on the ESRC funded project ‘L-earning: rethinking young women's working lives’.
Image by oksix, Adobe Stock
