The Other Glass Ceiling: The domestic politics of parenting, by Demos, recommends that a new inspection and assessment framework should be developed for providers, from childminders to extended schools, focusing on public values.
Co-author of the report, Hannah Green, said, 'The ECM assessment framework makes an artificial distinction between things that are child-friendly and things that are family-friendly.'
She argued that as well as being assessed on the five outcomes, the inspection framework should look at whether the provision can develop skills and competences that children can use beyond the childcare setting - for example, whether they are explicitly being encouraged to develop negotiation skills and make choices for themselves, or whether the provision fosters an eagerness to learn and encourages them to become autonomous, self-aware human beings.
Ms Green said that the interviews with 620 parents with children aged between six months and 12 years showed that while some parents were enthusiastic about the childcare available in their area, others either could not get a place or felt that what was on offer was 'not up-to-the-mark' or 'did not fit in with their family values'.
She said, 'The ECM framework contains good outcomes that are sensible, and we fully support them. But the nature of the framework is process-driven and it is often difficult for parents to get an accurate picture of what the nursery or childcarer is delivering.'
Ms Green added, 'Childcare professionals currently interact with whole families, not just the child in their care. We need to find ways to reflect and support this.'
The report can be downloaded at www.demos.co.uk.
