I am mourning for my PVI colleagues who own and run early years centres south of the border. Simply by geographical default, they are not privileged to enjoy the same sensible and consultative relationship with their government as we are with the Scottish Executive when it comes to commissioned places for three- and four-year-olds. The language and terminology in relation to three- and four-year-olds is different, as are the policies and practices, such as school starting age.