Nursery World - Analysis: Early Years Sector, 2011: Hopes and fears

What do we hope for or fear happening in the year ahead? Nursery World heard from a range of concerned people across the early years sector.

KAREN WALKER, head of children's services, London Early Years Foundation

'My greatest hope is that everyone fully engages with the idea of "early intervention" and the impact it can have on young children. My biggest fear is that local authorities do not commit to preserving the very best that Children's Centres have to offer to young children and their families.'

SARAH STEEL, managing director, the Old Station Nursery Group

'My greatest hope for 2011 is that the Government will actually have the **** to sort out the funding for the free entitlement. This elephant has sat in the corner for too many years and is having a very real and detrimental effect on the sector. Before they roll out further funding for two-year-olds, they must sort out the discrepancy in the funding and stop expecting providers and parents of full-timers or under-threes to subsidise Government policy.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included