Nursery World - Fingers crossed...

We ask representatives from across the childcare and early education field what they think could be in store for the year ahead It has been another busy 12 months for the early years education and childcare sector. While the Government's ten-year strategy is being rolled out, landmark legislation has been launched in the form of the Childcare Bill. This prompted media outrage as the Early Years Foundation Stage, the new single framework for birth-to-fives, was incorrectly dubbed a 'baby curriculum'. Controversy has also been stirred by the early findings in the National Evaluation of Sure Start, which found that the programme had 'little impact' on children and families in Britain's most deprived areas.

It has been another busy 12 months for the early years education and childcare sector. While the Government's ten-year strategy is being rolled out, landmark legislation has been launched in the form of the Childcare Bill. This prompted media outrage as the Early Years Foundation Stage, the new single framework for birth-to-fives, was incorrectly dubbed a 'baby curriculum'. Controversy has also been stirred by the early findings in the National Evaluation of Sure Start, which found that the programme had 'little impact' on children and families in Britain's most deprived areas.

But while childcare has become a hot political issue, practitioners on the ground have continued to work hard, adapt and take changes on board, including opening children's centres and extended schools across England.

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