As the former chief economist at the Treasury, Balls has been a key player in the debates that have resulted in the emerging policy framework. However, a few points in his speech went well beyond official Government policy, offering some insights into what might come next.
He wants to see a "parity of esteem" between early years workers and primary school teachers. What this means is a workforce qualified to degree level, a significant step beyond the Government's stated ambition to see every early years setting led by someone who is degree-qualified.
The problem is that the childcare market can't deliver this. If you expect people to be qualified to degree level then you have to pay them appropriately.
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