Portsmouth families will benefit from a groundbreaking government strategy investing £1.5 billion in early childhood education, with £4,500 incentives for teachers in disadvantaged communities.
Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan has endorsed the government’s comprehensive “Best Start in Life” strategy designed to transform early childhood education and support services across the city and nationwide.
The ambitious plan will revolutionise how early years education is delivered, focusing on quality improvements, accessibility enhancements, and rebuilding family support networks that have deteriorated over recent years.
The government will introduce £4,500 tax-free payments to attract highly qualified early years teachers to the 20 most disadvantaged communities, aiming to recruit and retain 3,000 additional educators where they are most needed.
Currently, only one in ten nurseries employ an early years teacher, despite research demonstrating that settings with graduate-qualified staff consistently achieve higher quality ratings across all measures.
Enhanced Ofsted inspections will begin from April, with all new early years providers receiving inspection visits within 18 months of opening. The inspection cycle will be reduced from six years to four years for all providers.
The strategy includes plans for 1,000 Best Start Family Hubs across every local authority in England, providing comprehensive support services for families and ensuring children arrive at school prepared for learning.
Stephen Morgan emphasised the significance for local families, stating: “I have always maintained that every child in Portsmouth deserves the finest possible start in life, regardless of their circumstances.
“This strategy announced by the Labour Government will directly benefit families in our city, enhancing the quality, affordability and accessibility of early years education whilst improving children’s future prospects.
“The £1.5 billion investment in early education will restore deteriorating family services and ensure children in Portsmouth and nationwide begin school ready to learn.”
The government will establish enhanced partnerships between nurseries and schools to improve transitions into reception classes and eliminate barriers from the outset.
Every local authority will collaborate with government to establish statutory targets for improving school readiness within their areas.
Additional funding will support early learning interventions in English and mathematics, whilst the government considers establishing a professional register for early years practitioners and developing a comprehensive career framework for the sector.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson outlined the government’s commitment: “My primary mission is ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed regardless of their background – this strategy will provide our youngest children with the optimal start in life.
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“The most effective approach to reducing inequalities involves addressing them early. We’re integrating family support services through Best Start Family Hubs, enhancing quality in our early years system and strengthening support as children transition to primary school.
“These are not luxuries but essentials that this government will deliver as we implement our Plan for Change.”
The strategy builds upon recent government initiatives, including the September rollout of 30 hours government-funded childcare, thousands of additional places in school-based nurseries, and a substantial 50% increase in early years disadvantage funding.
The government plans to simplify the system further, making it easier for families to access early education and childcare by reviewing current support mechanisms across different government departments.
Sarah Ronan, Director of the Early Education and Childcare Coalition, welcomed the announcement: “Today represents a pivotal moment in how we value early education. This strategy presents a long-awaited vision for transformation and fresh beginning for a system under pressure for far too long.
“We applaud the Government’s commitment to collaborate with families and the sector, particularly the emphasis on elevating workforce status.
“Whilst change will not occur immediately, it commences today with a shared mission to provide every child with the best possible start in life.”
The strategy accompanies record investment confirmed for early years entitlements next year, increasing to over £9 billion, with £400 million allocated over three years to improve quality in early years settings and reception classes.
The government will also explore how social investment – prioritising positive societal outcomes over profit – could create additional quality childcare places in communities requiring them most.
