Neil Bentley, director of the public services directorate at the CBI'said the expansion of good childcare was being stifled as the Governmenthad not set clear rules on working with the private and voluntarysectors.
"We think the impetus behind the policy has slowed and even stalled.
The Government has failed to go far enough," he told the National DayNurseries Association's annual conference earlier this week.
Bentley said he was extremely concerned by reports that some councilswere working with private and voluntary sector providers and stealingtheir best ideas before reverting to running their own services. Hecalled for statutory commissioning guidance and training for localauthority staff responsible for commissioning services.
Children's minister Beverley Hughes defended Government policies, whichhave seen a rapid expansion in childcare places. But she admitted thechildcare market had been destabilised.
"Until recently this market has been volatile," she told the conference,but said the Government had listened to concerns of the private andvoluntary sector and then changed guidance on childcare in children'scentres.
When the Childcare Bill becomes law, Hughes added, she would be able toclamp down on local authorities that were not working inpartnership.
Hughes said the Bill should become law next month. She also said newplanning and funding guidance to be published by the Department forEducation and Skills would make it clear how private and voluntarysectors would be involved in children's services.
Hughes came under fire for the Government's focus on graduate-levelworkers and qualifications. Frances Morgan of Cuddles Day Nursery saidshe had experienced staff in their 50s who did not want to takequalifications: "They are far better than those just out ofcollege."
Hughes said she made no apology for demanding a better-qualifiedworkforce.
Research has shown qualifications have a real impact on quality and evenexperienced staff must be encouraged to get formal training, shesaid.
"I want to get away from the view that anybody can look after youngchildren and do it well," she added. "The sector suffers greatly fromits low status."
