Nursery World - Let's build on a foundation of good intentions

I should like to respond to both the excellent 'In my view' by Eva Lloyd, chief executive of the National Early Years Network, and the excellent article 'End of term report' by Professor Peter Moss (both 4 January). Having lived for more than half a century, I realise that no Government has done so much for early childhood policy as this one. This is really something to be celebrated. It was good to see Peter Moss acknowledge the importance of the introduction of the Foundation Stage, which is already beginning to have an impact.

Having lived for more than half a century, I realise that no Government has done so much for early childhood policy as this one. This is really something to be celebrated. It was good to see Peter Moss acknowledge the importance of the introduction of the Foundation Stage, which is already beginning to have an impact.

I share Eva Lloyd's concern that it is unacceptable that childminders should be allowed to smack children with parents' permission. While working with the children in their care, childminders are at work. Their home becomes their place of work. If they care for several children, the parents may have differing views on smacking, and they may not wish their children to witness physical violence towards another child.

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