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“We have particular concerns around provision for disadvantaged children and those with special educational needs and disabilities if funding rates continue to fall below the cost of delivering services."

"The Government needs to invest in early intervention and public health services, to enable councils to work more closely with the NHS, implement best practice and most importantly help give children the best start in life.”

“The forthcoming Spending Review should properly resource all early years settings so that councils and providers can support the Government’s ambition to reduce the attainment gap and ensure that every child has the best start in life.”

“The Government needs to use the forthcoming Spending Review to properly resource all early years settings to ensure that we can make a significant difference to the attainment gap.”

“Councils have a legal duty to ensure capacity but need powers to open new schools or direct academies to expand. This is the best way to ensure as many children as possible get the places they want.”

"Councils need the powers and appropriate funding to enter homes or other premises to check a child’s schooling, and make sure they aren’t being taught in unsuitable or dangerous environments."

“This initiative provides another option for social workers considering what would work best for individual children and families.“

"Historic underfunding and wider council pressures have left local authority early years teams less prepared to support providers with the expansion, despite concerted effort."

“We support calls in the report for a review of the early years system to ensure that investment supports the Government’s ambitions and that parents are clear on the best options for their children".

“We are pleased that the Government has listened to the concerns of the LGA, local councils and our partners across the public sector and decided against the introduction of mandatory reporting of child abuse."