Reform of the early years and childcare workforce is crucial if the UK is to develop top-class provision under the ten-year strategy. Yet increasingly there is a sense of disappointment at the lack of substance in the Children's Workforce Strategy consultation document. The section on the early years is long on analysis of the historical situation and current problems, but short on a real vision and strategy for the future. Discussion about whether to create a pedagogue's role or a 'new teacher's' role has been going on for years, yet the strategy makes no firm recommendations on the way forward. Compounding this is the obvious lack of funding at a level that could really make a difference in raising qualifications and rates of pay.
Reform of the early years and childcare workforce is crucial if the UK is to develop top-class provision under the ten-year strategy. Yet increasingly there is a sense of disappointment at the lack of substance in the Children's Workforce Strategy consultation document.
The section on the early years is long on analysis of the historical situation and current problems, but short on a real vision and strategy for the future. Discussion about whether to create a pedagogue's role or a 'new teacher's' role has been going on for years, yet the strategy makes no firm recommendations on the way forward. Compounding this is the obvious lack of funding at a level that could really make a difference in raising qualifications and rates of pay.
Our Special Report this week (pages 10-11) kicks off what will be extensive coverage in Nursery World of the strategy, the consultation and the future implementation.
We're always keen to encourage and reward students who are capable of going on to be wonderful practitioners, so we're delighted to be running our student essay competition for the fourth year. See pages 14-15 for details of how to enter for the chance to win 1,000 and publication in Nursery World!
Liz Roberts, editor
