Morning, Monday, 15th September 2025
Online
This conference will consider next steps for early years and childcare in England.
It is bringing together key stakeholders and policymakers to consider the direction of government policy and practicalities for delivering the expansion of free childcare entitlements for working families in England. With the Government committed to creating up to 100,000 new nursery places through the rollout of school-based provision by September 2025, delegates will consider immediate challenges of expanding capacity, supporting the workforce, and ensuring consistent quality and access across the sector.
Delegates will explore the infrastructure, staffing and funding frameworks needed to meet the Government’s commitments, in the context of the latest Early education and childcare guidance from DfE and the announcement of 300 new school-based nurseries. Delegates will assess implications of using primary school sites for early years provision, including practicalities of conversion, the allocation of the £15m pilot fund, alongside early indications from the pilot, as well as the balance between new provision and support for existing providers - especially those in the private and voluntary sector affected by school leasing decisions.
Further discussion is expected on workforce expansion, including the rollout of the new early years teacher apprenticeship and the temporary experience-based qualification route. With pilots and implementation of these initiatives expected in late 2025, delegates will explore implications for quality assurance, consistency, and workforce preparedness. They will also consider long-term implications for staff development, diversity, and retention, as well as the consistency and oversight of provider-led assessments under the new model. Changes to staff-to-child ratios will also be examined, alongside revised Ofsted priorities, and the strategy, support and development of best practice required to ensure quality provision against a backdrop of increased demand.
Sessions will also consider strategic issues for equity and access, including the targeting of provision in underserved areas, local authority readiness and ability to meet capacity demands, and how a fair spread of benefit can be achieved for households and families from the expanded entitlement. Delegates will examine what will be needed to achieve a sustainable mixed-delivery model, protect parental choice, and address pressures on providers and meet parental expectations, as the system moves to centrally-set funding rates and affordability guidance. Discussion is also expected on concerns from the PVI sector around financial viability and the potential risk of closures linked to underfunding or displacement.
At this early stage, we are pleased to be able include sessions with: Neil Leitch, Chief Executive, Early Years Alliance; and Professor Christine Pascal, Director, Centre for Research in Early Childhood. We are in contact with further senior speakers.
With the agenda currently in the drafting stage, overall areas for discussion include:
- policy, expansion and local authorities:
- implementing April 2025guidance, setting out local responsibilities for delivering expanded entitlements - implications of new deadlines for setting funding rates and budgets
- addressing stakeholder concerns about differing levels of local capacity to meet demand and the need for greater clarity on what is required of authorities under updated guidance
- planning for meeting demand and capacity for early years places under expanded entitlements - support for local decision-making on funding guidance implementation
- consistency in delivery across urban and rural settings - taking into account access for disadvantaged children and local demographics - tackling childcare deserts
- practicalities of converting primary school spaces for nursery use - utilisation of funding for initial school-nursery conversion
- infrastructure:
- what can be learnt from the initial 300-nursery pilot in primary schools - assessing scalability and further funding requirements
- implications and practicalities of school-space conversions on existing educational infrastructure within timeframe targets
- considerations for long-term suitability and adaptation needs of school buildings for early years provision
- provider financial sustainability:
- implications of increased government-funded places on private and voluntary nursery provision - impact of centrally controlled funding rates
- options for mitigating financial risks for providers, and top-up charges for parents while maintaining quality
- long-term viability of a mixed-market model and financial risks linked to school leasing decisions and cost pressures
- private nurseries:
- options for mitigating displacement effects experienced by private nurseries moved from state school premises
- considering the sustainability of existing private and voluntary sector provision and maintaining quality - guidelines around school leasing contracts for nursery spaces
- staff recruitment and retention:
- what will be needed to meet targets for workforce expansion - potential impacts of new early years teacher apprenticeships and experience-based qualification routes
- latest thinking on strategies to improve pay, career progression, and staff retention - attracting a more diverse workforce including men and underrepresented groups
- qualifications:
- assessing consistency and objectivity concerns arising from providers assessing staff suitability under new experience-based qualification criteria
- standardisation of assessments and processes - implications of recognising international qualifications and managing quality assurance
- parents and households:
- reconciling expectations and demand for expanded childcare entitlement with practicalities of availability
- addressing parental concerns around accessibility and convenience of hours provided - assessing guidance designed to eliminate hidden costs for families accessing free childcare hours
- equity in provision:
- targeting new nursery places in areas with highest demand and childcare shortages balancing universal provision aims with individual needs of disadvantaged communities
- securing equitable distribution of childcare expansion benefits across different socioeconomic groups
- quality and standards:
- new staff-to-child ratios and priorities for care, safeguarding and early learning
- interpretation of statutory guidance aimed at eliminating extra charges on funded hours, consistency and impact of affordability and access
- revised Ofsted inspection focus on child progress - implications for provider practice and quality assurance
