Bim Afolami MP, Member of Parliament for Hitchin & Harpenden, met a number of representatives from local Early Years Settings in Hitchin on Thursday to discuss the challenges facing them. The representatives shared their experience of Government funding and some of the difficulties that they have been having recruiting new staff, tackling the rising cost of living, and pressures on energy prices.
Bim Afolami MP said,
“Early Years Settings in Hitchin & Harpenden do a tremendous job supporting the development of local children and helping parents with childcare. It is absolutely vital that they have the support that they need from Government – particularly at this time of increased strain on their resources from rising energy prices and the cost of living.
“I will be raising the concerns brought to me at this meeting directly with Ministerial colleagues at the Department for Education, to ensure that our local Early Years Settings have the support that they need.”
Karen Illsley, Manager of Pirton Pre School, said,
“We appreciate Bim Afolami taking the time to meet with the sector and listen to our concerns. We hope it provided actual figures and data on the uncertain future of Early Years provision if the government do not review funding rates. An action plan was agreed and we very much look forward to the Department of Education addressing our concerns. Thank you to Bim (and Louise) for helping us in our #fightforearlyyears and thank you to all the Hitchin/Letchworth settings that attended.”
