Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to page 17 of the Early Years workforce strategy 2017, what steps he has taken to engage the childcare sector in exploring ways to target support where it is most needed.

We are considering the feasibility of a range of approaches to supporting graduates in the early years workforce – including in disadvantaged areas. This work is still underway and we will engage stakeholders when appropriate to inform this work.