Siân Berry, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion and former Green party leader, and Mandu Reid, former leader of the Women’s Equality Party, have set out a vision for universal free childcare in the UK.
In a new report, All our children: Manifesto for a universal early years future, Siân and Mandu make the case for childcare investment to be recognised as national infrastructure in the same way as railways and hospitals. Detailed case studies from workers and parents also reveal the depths of the UK’s childcare crisis.
By working together, the two women aim to start a conversation about the need for a universal childcare service, free at the point of use, in the UK. They say this vision: “should be something that can unite people from all parties and across the political spectrum.”
The pair also argue that the childcare workforce: “has been neglected by the Government in progress made. All the changes parents have won could mean little if the workers dwindle away.”
The report firstly recommends immediate investment towards the goal.
- Recommendation 1: More investment now
Above all, we want to see significant additional Government investment in supporting childcare providers to offer parents good, affordable options throughout the year.
And, the report has seven further steps to build resilience in the early years workforce.
- Key recommendations: Care for the carers
2. Commit to fully funding access to Level 3-5 qualifications as part of the Best Start in Life Strategy.
3. Introduce a right to paid time for training (a minimum CPD entitlement per year)
4. Commit to invest in SEND-specialist training to upskill and empower the workforce in the upcoming Schools White Paper
5. Introduce a sector-specific minimum pay rate for qualified staff, and aim to cover costs at provider level by reduced National Insurance burdens
6. Require all settings in receipt of public funds to publish pay bands
7. Introduced a guaranteed improved sick pay floor for all early years workers
8. Invest in new wellbeing grants for early years settings for staff to access mental health support, supervision, and breaks
New polling released last week by the Early Education and Childcare Coalition shows 69 per cent of the general public believe that investment in early education and childcare is good for the whole country, not just parents.[1]
Speaking of the immense value of investing in childcare, Siân Berry Green MP for Brighton Pavilion said:
“Whether you have children, or you don’t, childcare is something that every person in society benefits from. Like other countries we must invest significantly in making quality childcare free and readily available for anyone who needs it, but this cannot become reality unless the essential workforce is properly looked after.
“This report sets out a big vision, and we want to start a big conversation.
“Urgent action must also be taken to address the immense mental, physical and financial challenges that our early years carers face every day. We have heard from workers, providers, and parents who all confirm that the current system is not working. The childcare workforce must be at the centre of any future Government plans, because without them, this vital part of our economy will collapse.”
Mandu Reid, former leader of the Women’s Equality Party said:
“I feel the pressure of trying to hold everything together: work, care, and the needs of a growing child, inside a system that just doesn’t work. Navigating the early years shouldn’t be this hard. It shouldn’t push parents to the brink or undervalue the people doing some of the most important work in our society.
“This is not just a women’s issue or a parents’ issue – it’s a national one. Everyone benefits when children get a better start, when families are supported, and when care is properly valued.
“Early years provision isn’t a private struggle – it’s a public good, it’s essential national infrastructure, and it’s time we treated it that way. A universal, free system would ease the pressure on families, give early years workers the respect and pay they deserve, and give every child a start in life that sets them up to thrive.
“We can choose to build that future – and we must.”
While the Government has taken steps to expand free childcare hours for preschool aged children, this remains restricted to term-time and working parents, and serious gaps remain to make sure early years providers can fulfil the new demand.
The refusal to exempt private nurseries from April’s increase to National Insurance Contributions (NICs) has also stretched finances to extremes, pushing many to the brink of closure. Alongside other measures, Siân and Mandu propose a reduced NICs burden on private providers to help fund a boosted sector-specific minimum pay rate for qualified staff.
ENDS