"Funding needs to be higher than the current level so those working in early years can be paid decent salaries that reflect the high staffing ratios for under-threes," said Rosemary Murphy, chief executive of the National Day Nurseries Association.
Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, welcomed the commitment to universal early years provision.
Blair's pledge was part of a speech on education to delegates at the National Association of Head Teachers' conference. He stressed parents' responsibility for tackling truancy, while David Hart, the union's general secretary, said parents must do more to control their children.
- See letters on p14.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
