High-quality childcare ‘vital for youngsters from disadvantaged families’

Poor children should be given as much high-quality early education and care as possible, a leading expert has said.

There is a huge “pay off” for youngsters from disadvantaged homes who get access to early years education, according to Andreas Schleicher.

A landmark new study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has indicated issues from social immobility to obesity could be tackled through high-quality pre-school education.

The findings come just months before a £50 million scheme is introduced to double free childcare for three and four-year-olds in England, aimed at working families.

Mr Schleicher (pictured), head of the OECD’s education policy arm, said that from an economic perspective, he understands the arguments for supporting families by offering care so parents can work.

But he added that from a child development point of view, employment is “not as important as disadvantage”.

Speaking ahead of the report’s launch, he said it is “particularly” children from disadvantaged backgrounds who should be given as much quality early childhood care and education as possible.

“Early childhood education pays off hugely for children from disadvantaged families”, Mr Schleicher said.

“If you think about your children, that is the future of your country.

“They are only a small proportion of your population but they are 100% of your future.”

The research showed many other governments offer early childhood education and care “unconditionally”.

Mr Schleicher said: “From the perspective of labour market participation I can see the point to make it possible for those who want to work to have their children taken care of.

“But from an educational and development perspective you want to ensure that particularly those who do not have the wealthy background in the family will get the support.”

He also said: “Disadvantage should be more important for ensuring high-quality education and care than employment. If your child, whether you work or not, is (in childcare), it makes your work easier. But if you think about the child, it should be more important to give the best services for the children who need the most.”

Under the current system, parents are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare a week, although from September they will be offered 30 hours if they are a couple both in work or a single parent in work.

The Department for Education (DfE) said trials had shown parents were able to go back to work or increase their hours, as well as helping them financially.

The OECD report said: “Early childhood education and care (ECEC) can improve children’s cognitive abilities and socio-emotional development, help create a foundation for lifelong learning, make children’s learning outcomes more equitable, reduce poverty, and improve social mobility from generation to generation.”

A DfE spokeswoman said: “Every child should get a world-class education at every stage of their life, and the OECD’s reports are further evidence that access to high-quality early education can improve a child’s outcomes later in life.

“We are investing more than ever before into childcare – £6 billion per year by 2020 – and doubling our existing offer of free childcare for all three and four-year-olds to 30 hours for working parents.

“We are also supporting the most disadvantaged families with 15 free hours per week for two-year-olds, our pupil premium which is worth over £300 a year per child and our new Disability Access Fund, providing £615 per eligible child.

“The number of early years providers rated good or outstanding remains at a record high, and we have also strengthened the duty on councils to publish up-to-date information about all the types of childcare available in their area to help parents make informed decisions.”

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