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By Rachel Lawler

The Education Committee has launched an inquiry into support for early years and childcare settings, including how easy it is navigate the current system, whether current entitlements are providing affordable and flexible care.

The Committee will also assess the effectiveness of current funding entitlements including the 15 and 30 hours, Tax-Free Childcare and support via the benefits and tax credit system.

ÍõÖÐÍõ¿ª½±½á¹û CEO Neil will be giving evidence on 31 January next week, alongside other early years experts.

Commenting, Neil said: "We know that the early years is the single most important period of a child life, and that quality provision has a hugely significant impact on children's long-term learning and development. And yet, despite this, all too often in this country, early years policy focuses solely on childcare as a means to get parents back to work, with no thought given to the need for quality early education that ensures that all children get the best possible start in life. 

"That's why we are incredibly pleased to be speaking directly to the Education Committee next week as part of their inquiry into the early years, and to have the opportunity to raise the urgent need to increase early years funding, tackling the ongoing staffing crisis and crucially, recognise the early years as a integral part of the education system.

"It is our hope that this vital inquiry will drive government to deliver the changes - and crucially, the investment - that our sector so desperately needs."

For more information, including how you can watch live next week, visit the Education Committee website .