Nursery World - A bridge too far? (1)

Could one profession embrace everyone who works with children? <B>Annette Rawstrone</B> investigates

Should there be an integrated childcare workforce with playwork and early years workers linked through a common qualification or joint standards? How far the two should come together is an issue being hotly debated within the childcare profession.

The DfES has funded the SkillsActive Playwork Unit to manage a project, due to finish in October, of joint work with the early years sector to investigate whether there is commonality between the occupational standards of the two sectors. Sue Hook, SkillsActive national development officer (quality assurance), who is working on the project, says focus groups have found commonalities between the two sectors including working in teams, administrative systems and Ofsted inspections. Differences occur in their approach to play and the fact that early years workers deliver the Foundation Stage, where playworkers do not.

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