Childcare strategy update proposes rollover for free nursery entitlement

Next Steps for Early Learning and Childcare: Building on the Ten-Year Strategy says the Government would look at how to enable parents to 'roll over' free provision for two-year-olds to cover three- and four-year-olds in the long term.
A price comparison website will also be developed to help parents find the best childcare in their area for their budget.
The report also reiterates that the Government is considering making it a legal requirement for everyone working in childcare to hold the minimum of an A-level or relevant level 3 qualification by 2015, a measure proposed in last month's White Paper on social mobility (News, 22 January).
As part of the drive to upskill the workforce there are also plans to pilot a programme to attract the best graduates into the early years and childcare sector, similar to 'Teach First' for secondary schools.
Children's minister Beverley Hughes said that childcare and early learning should be 'a universal public service of the highest standard'.
Ms Hughes said, 'The quality and the confidence of the workforce is of the utmost importance for early years providers. We want this country to be the best place in the world for children to grow up, and in order to ensure that every child gets the best possible start in life, early learning and childcare professionals need to have the same level of professionalism as teachers.'
Last week the Government said it would extend places for two-year-olds from pilot areas to 15 per cent of the most disadvantaged families in every local authority area (News, 22 January).
The National Day Nurseries Association said the commitment to expand places for two-year-olds and for parents to spread their hours over a full year, or save part of their entitlement at two for when their child is three and four, was good news for families.
NDNA chief executive Purnima Tanuku said, 'However, it is absolutely vital that local authorities work with childcare providers to make this a reality and that working in this way is sustainable. With private, voluntary and independent day nurseries making up a significant proportion of childcare facilities, they will be the key to the success of this vision, especially free care for two-year-olds.'