Nursery World - Editor's view (130)

There's a distinct end-of-term feeling about this week, with some very important Government initiatives hurrying into the open before everybody heads off on holiday. The long-delayed Youth Green Paper finally makes an appearance (see News, page 8) after much speculation and a few leaks about its content.

The long-delayed Youth Green Paper finally makes an appearance (see News, page 8) after much speculation and a few leaks about its content.

Meanwhile, the Childcare Bill consultation also steps into the spotlight, and there will be some heated discussions about its proposals over the coming months (see News, page 4). A major issue for many will be deregulation of group childcare for six- and seven-year-olds. Providers caring for this age group can voluntarily join the new Ofsted Childcare Register and meet minimum standards, but there will be no mandatory requirement for them to do so. The exception to this will be childminders, no doubt to the relief of the National Childminding Association, which has been striving to highlight that their members provide a registered, professional service.

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