A child’s early years play a significant role in determining their chances later on in life, but the poorest children are already several months behind their peers when they start at primary school. There has perhaps never been more political attention on the early years sector. However, much of the focus has been on its role as childcare, with much less attention paid on its other crucial role, that of early education. What are the prospects for improving early years education under a new government? Our panellists will explore the state of play in the main political Parties’ early years plans so far and what more is needed to deliver high quality early years education for all.