Nursery World - Editor's view (315)

Alan Millburn's resignation as health secretary may have generated the most headlines in last week's ministerial reshuffle, but for the early years sector it is the return of Margaret Hodge as the first-ever Minister for Children that is of greatest significance. Hodge's previous spell as early years minister overseeing the national childcare strategy was certainly action-packed. She is reportedly absolutely delighted to be back in this arena after a troubled time in charge of higher education, where she made few friends. Whether the early years sector will feel quite such unalloyed joy is open to question after her championing such controversial moves as the childminders' smoking and smacking, but the appointment is being generally well received. She will certainly make sure that childcare has a high profile in government.

Hodge's previous spell as early years minister overseeing the national childcare strategy was certainly action-packed. She is reportedly absolutely delighted to be back in this arena after a troubled time in charge of higher education, where she made few friends. Whether the early years sector will feel quite such unalloyed joy is open to question after her championing such controversial moves as the childminders' smoking and smacking, but the appointment is being generally well received. She will certainly make sure that childcare has a high profile in government.

Her expanded role as Minister for Children, bringing in responsibilities from other departments, is also good news in the drive to integrate children's services and family policy into one unit. The forthcoming Children's Green Paper, now promising to encompass reforms more far-reaching than its original 'children at risk' brief, will ensure a lively start for the new minister.

Liz Roberts editor