Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Answer of 2 November 2016 to Question 50565, how many staff of her Department are engaged in measuring the effect of the new entitlement for free early years education and childcare.

As at 30 September 2017, there were 31.33 full time equivalent members of staff working on the delivery of 30 hours free childcare.

These roles include putting in place the legislative framework, detailed policy and eligibility checking systems required to deliver the 30 hours entitlement; providing analytical support and strategic management of the offer as it rolls out; and a fieldforce of regional advisors supporting local authorities and providers to prepare for effective delivery of the entitlement.

A proportion of all of these roles will involve monitoring the implementation of the rollout of 30 hours free childcare.