What is the Childcare Commission aiming to do and will it make any difference to practice?
According to the government, £5bn is invested each year in early education and childcare.
So if we are spending that much, why is childcare so expensive? This is something the commission will examine. In essence, they are looking at particular issues that affect working parents such as wrap-around, after-school and holiday care.
Responding to the commission is very important because you need to have a say in light of implementing the new Early Years Foundation Stage, the review of the Ofsted inspection model, the Nutbrown Review and the introduction of the free entitlement for disadvantaged two-year-olds, all of which focus on the need for good quality provision, led by qualified and well-trained staff.
One area that will be examined is whether we need so much regulation to ensure safety or quality. This has led to concern that current requirements for staff-child ratios may be reduced.
If you agree that good quality care and early education makes a huge difference to a child’s future then you must respond.
Answered by June O'Sullivan, chief executive of the childcare charity and social enterprise, the London Early Years Foundation
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