Nursery World - Editor's view (320)

As another year draws to a close, a look back at some of the issues we've covered in Nursery World reveals just what a busy year 2003 was. The proposals for employer-supported childcare which have been in the process of formulation for most of the year have now been revealed in the pre-Budget speech (see News, page 4). Shortfalls in school budgets and the effect on support staff have also been high on the agenda for months. The plans for children's centres swung into action; Margaret Hodge became minister for children and promptly walked into a huge row about whether she should resign. She also launched the Green Paper Every Child Matters with its mission for joined-up children's services. Investors in Children eventually named its approved quality assurance schemes, childminders protested over plans to list their full addresses on the internet, and the home childcarers' scheme limped into being. Scotland's nursery nurses took direct action over pay. The new APEL qualification was launched.

The plans for children's centres swung into action; Margaret Hodge became minister for children and promptly walked into a huge row about whether she should resign. She also launched the Green Paper Every Child Matters with its mission for joined-up children's services. Investors in Children eventually named its approved quality assurance schemes, childminders protested over plans to list their full addresses on the internet, and the home childcarers' scheme limped into being. Scotland's nursery nurses took direct action over pay. The new APEL qualification was launched.

That's just a selection. Meanwhile, thousands of early years practitioners continued to do their vital jobs. And Nursery World will continue to bring you all the information you need during 2004. Happy Christmas.

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