Academics from the Sutton Trust and Oxford University recently called into question the quality of the early years workforce by suggesting that the sectors' sub-standard skills were undermining the government's free childcare policy.
The Sound Foundations report, published in January, urges the government to ensure all workers caring for disadvantaged two-year-olds are qualified to at least NVQ Level 3 before expanding its free childcare offer.
In addition, the report authors want all childcare professionals to have support from a graduate practitioner to ensure the provision of high-quality childcare.
The report cites figures from the 2011 Childcare and Early Years Providers Survey – the most recent data of its kind - which shows that 88 per cent of nursery school staff, 84 per cent of full-day care staff and 59 per cent of childminders were qualified to at least a Level 3.
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