There are increases in the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit, planned extensions to the amount of free nursery education offered to three- and four-year-olds, and the proposal for all managers of daycare settings to be qualified to graduate level.
Over the coming months, Nursery World will be analysing in detail all the ingredients of the strategy and the implications for the early years and childcare sector.
Initial impressions are that there is little firm information about the amount of funding and the mechanisms for delivery, there is still a reliance on demand-side tax credits to increase provision, and that there is little to reassure us that a high-quality expanded workforce can be found. But undoubtedly, it is an historic strategy.
A well-trained workforce is key, of course, so don't miss our new-look Training Today supplement free with Nursery World next week. It's an essential guide to career progression and development.
Liz Roberts, editor
