Nursery World - For the future

Voices from across the early years field express what they would like to come of the changes already in progress after an eventful year, summarised by Liz Fox The past 12 months have seen a wealth of developments in the early years and childcare sector. In England, the Government rolled out the first Children's Centres and extended schools, and in Scotland nursery nurses fought for improved pay and conditions in a long-running strike.

The past 12 months have seen a wealth of developments in the early years and childcare sector. In England, the Government rolled out the first Children's Centres and extended schools, and in Scotland nursery nurses fought for improved pay and conditions in a long-running strike.

In November both Labour and the Conservatives got all fired up over childcare, pledging increased provision and parental choice in the run-up to the next general election. Within a short time childcare became one of the hottest political issues around, culminating earlier this month in the publication of the Government's ten-year strategy.

As the year comes to a close, nurseries, pre-schools, nannies and childminders must gear up for more changes in 2005. In April next year both the tax exemption scheme for employer-supported childcare and no-notice Ofsted inspections will come into effect.

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