MPs have launched an inquiry into the early years sector, which will scrutinise the government’s school-readiness targets and staff recruitment and retention.

The Commons Education Select Committee will also look at issues around the sustainability of its workforce, families’ access to services and the quality of outcomes for young children.

The government’s Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life Strategy will also be examined.

It comes after schools were invited to bid for the second wave of school-based nurseries this week.

MPs will look at whether the government’s early years policies will support its aim for 75 per cent of children to achieve a “good level of development” (GLD) at the end of Reception by 2028.

However, a survey by early years charity Kindred Squared, shared exclusively with Tes, found that most school governors are not aware of how many children in their setting are on course to reach GLD goals.

MPs to examine ‘childcare deserts’ and SEND

The inquiry will also focus on how the government can ensure the sector is inclusive to families across the country - including areas that have become “childcare deserts” - and to those with special educational needs and disabilities.

Committee chair Helen Hayes said: “The early years sector has seen significant reforms in recent years in terms of how services are provided and funded.”

She promised that the inquiry would “question experts and those on the frontline about how the government’s new strategy could deliver improvements and reverse a worrying decline in the number of children starting school before meeting key development milestones”.

The committee welcomes written evidence submissions from academics and experts in the early years sector. Submissions can be made via the committee’s website by 11.59pm on 10 October 2025.

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