Nursery World - Editor's view (189)

The UK Government stubbornly insists on league tables as a means of driving up educational attainment, standards of health care and so on, despite widespread opposition. It may not be so keen, however, on the UNICEF league table of child well-being in rich countries - out of 21 rich nations, the UK comes bottom when rated on measures of material well-being, health and safety, education, peer and family relationships, behaviours and risks, and young people's own subjective sense of well-being (see News, page 6). Our relegation position seems shocking when you consider the billions that have been put into children's services policies. And yet in early years, for example, the proportion of GDP spent in the UK is far less than other nations, particularly in Scandinavia. Nor is money the only factor - the Czech Republic is ranked higher than several much wealthier countries.

Our relegation position seems shocking when you consider the billions that have been put into children's services policies. And yet in early years, for example, the proportion of GDP spent in the UK is far less than other nations, particularly in Scandinavia. Nor is money the only factor - the Czech Republic is ranked higher than several much wealthier countries.

Much needs to be improved in our children's lives. Perhaps the Children's Society's Good Childhood Inquiry can help to shed some light on what we could do.

It will be no surprise that Denmark comes out well for child well-being, taking third place in the league table. Marie Charlton's article on her inspiring visit to Danish early years settings shows why its principles and practice are so highly respected (see pages 24-25).

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