Early years professionals will be struck by the parallels between the final versions of the care standards and guidance and those of the early learning goals.
As with the goals, the profession rebelled against the proposed standards and welcomed the Government's minor concessions but was still unhappy with some of the final version - notably, the low requirements for staff qualifications, and allowing smoking and smacking by childminders, albeit with parents' permission.
Now that parallel extends to the guidance. Just as practitioners were pleased with the curriculum guidance, so first impressions are that the standards guidance are coherent and accessible documents (see our special report, 'On close inspection', on p10-12). Of course, we look forward to hearing your views if, on closer inspection, you think otherwise!
Parents, like some practitioners, may be confused about the changes so in this issue we provide a parent's guide to the inspection regime (see 'Under one roof', p14-15).
