Early Years Funding Should Prioritise Child Need Over Parental Employment, Study Finds

A comprehensive two-year research project conducted by the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) has sparked urgent calls for England's early years funding system to prioritise child need over parental employment criteria. The study demonstrates 'significant' benefits for children with additional needs when provision is targeted based on individual developmental requirements rather than linked to work status. The findings challenge the current policy emphasis on using funded childcare primarily as a mechanism to support parents into employment. Instead, LEYF argues that allocating resources based on children's unique needs—particularly for those with additional needs—delivers better outcomes, improves school readiness, and creates a more equitable early years system that serves every child according to their circumstances. This research carries important implications for local authorities and lead members responsible for early years provision, as pressure mounts to reform how childcare funding is distributed across England. The call for a needs-based approach aligns with broader discussions about ensuring vulnerable children receive the right support during the critical foundation years, potentially influencing future national policy and local sufficiency planning.