Nursery World - Editor's view (50)

Much has been said about the need to integrate services for young children and their families, and some moves have been made towards this with initiatives such as Sure Start and Early Excellence. However, despite all the progress, the fundamental split between education and care that has always been a feature of UK early years provision still exists (see Special Report, pages 10-11). And the Government's drive to eradicate child poverty could actually lead to education being eclipsed by care.

However, despite all the progress, the fundamental split between education and care that has always been a feature of UK early years provision still exists (see Special Report, pages 10-11). And the Government's drive to eradicate child poverty could actually lead to education being eclipsed by care.

The guidance for the Children's Centres, intended to be bastions of integration, is careful to stress that there should be teacher input to services. Indeed, it suggests that children should get the same quality of learning experience on offer in a maintained nursery school. But with no requirement to employ teachers or for them to work with children every day, funding shortages mean that it will be more likely that cheaper, less qualified staff are hired.

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