Early years practitioners are trained at Levels 2 and 3 in both the care and education of children aged nought to seven years and, in my experience, are deeply committed to both the care and education of babies and young children. There are some pre-school playgroups and day nurseries employing no qualified teachers who are justly proud of Ofsted reports which rate both teaching and learning within their settings as good, very good or excellent.
However, the positive link between levels of staff training and the quality of provision, highlighted in the recent EPPE report, is one that cannot be overlooked by the Government. If the most effective care and education is provided in settings where there are practitioners qualified to degree level, perhaps it is time to look towards Europe for inspiration and give those working with children aged nought to three and with children in the Foundation Stage the opportunity to extend their knowledge and understanding of both care and education through vocational degree courses for 'pedagogues'.
Paulette Luff
Romford, Essex
