It is not often that this Government gives way to pressure when its proposals prove unpopular, but the early years and childcare sector has had more success than many in pushing for revisions. Most notably, we have seen changes in the original plans for the Foundation Stage and the removal of the entitlement of childminders to smack children and smoke in front of them if their parents gave permission. (There are still no signs that the widespread opposition to parents being allowed to smack their children will be listened to, however.) Now comes a U-turn on the deregulation of group childcare for six- and seven-year-olds (see News, page 4). This should have been confirmed with the publication of the Childcare Bill this week (Tuesday). This only counts as a partial victory, as the Ofsted Childcare Register that these providers will have to join will surely be a lighter-touch affair than the current arrangements. More lobbying is still needed.
It is not often that this Government gives way to pressure when its proposals prove unpopular, but the early years and childcare sector has had more success than many in pushing for revisions. Most notably, we have seen changes in the original plans for the Foundation Stage and the removal of the entitlement of childminders to smack children and smoke in front of them if their parents gave permission. (There are still no signs that the widespread opposition to parents being allowed to smack their children will be listened to, however.) Now comes a U-turn on the deregulation of group childcare for six- and seven-year-olds (see News, page 4). This should have been confirmed with the publication of the Childcare Bill this week (Tuesday).
This only counts as a partial victory, as the Ofsted Childcare Register that these providers will have to join will surely be a lighter-touch affair than the current arrangements. More lobbying is still needed.
With so much at stake in the Childcare Bill, Nursery World's conference 'Quality in Early Years Education and Childcare', which will look at the new birth-to five-framework, inspection and regulation, workforce, and quality assurance, will be a lively and unmissable event. See the ad on page 18 and book your place.
