Should funded childcare eligibility focus on family need rather than parental employment?

England's 30-hour funded childcare entitlement targets working parents but excludes many children with greatest needs, such as those with SEND, poverty, parental mental health issues, bereavement, refugee status, domestic abuse, or language barriers. LEYF's BRIDGE Project report reveals this structural flaw, showing these children benefit most from sustained early education yet are often ineligible. Chief executive June O’Sullivan calls for funding prioritising equity, quality, and family need over labour market participation.