Early years sector urges Education Secretary Lucy Powell to deliver equal funding for PVI settings

The appointment of Lucy Powell as Education Secretary has prompted urgent calls from the early years sector for equitable treatment of private, voluntary and independent (PVI) settings compared to their school-based counterparts. Providers have emphasised that PVIs, which deliver the majority of early years places in England, require equal access to funding, support and recognition to maintain quality and sustainability amidst rising costs. The sector is seeking assurances that the new ministerial team will address long-standing disparities between different types of early years provision. This includes ensuring that funding rates and policy considerations treat PVI nurseries and childminders fairly alongside maintained nursery schools and primary school early years units, creating a genuinely level playing field for all providers. As the new government settles in, early years representatives are watching closely to see whether Secretary Powell will prioritise these equity issues and deliver on promises to support the foundational stage of education. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the administration recognises the vital role of PVIs in delivering the government's early years ambitions and ensures they receive the resources needed to thrive.