Our goal is for the early years sector to provide the foundations for children to have happy, healthy and successful lives, and to enable parents to work. The sector has some challenges in common with our other sectors but it faces a different local and systemic context. We are interested in evidence that will help us enable a healthy and sustainable early years market which maximises the valuable outcomes of the sector.
If you would like to discuss previous, ongoing or potential research into any of the areas in this document, please contact research.engagement@education.gov.uk.
Families benefit from childcare. The availability of affordable childcare is a major influence on women's ability to take up paid work. According to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, 'Helping families to combine ...
Funded by: ESRC
Lead research organisation: University College London
The project focuses on understanding the usage and provision of childcare, including formal and informal care, which directly addresses the question.
The UK government spends billions of pounds a year to ensure that all 3 and 4 year olds have access to childcare and early education for 15 hours a week, 38 weeks a year. There is ongoing debate about whether (and by how...
Funded by: ESRC
Lead research organisation: University of Essex
While the project focuses on the impact of free childcare on maternal labor supply and child development, it does not directly address the specific needs of parents from disadvantaged communities as outlined in the question.
Early Years (EY) childcare is critical to the UK economy and society given its positive impact on child development and wellbeing. Without the provision of formal and informal childcare, parents will not be able to retur...
Funded by: COVID
Lead research organisation: University of Leeds
The project addresses the impact of COVID-19 on Early Years childcare provision, which partially aligns with the question's focus on incentivizing parents, particularly from disadvantaged communities, to take up childcare and work.