The language and terminology in relation to three- and four-year-olds is different, as are the policies and practices, such as school starting age.
The juxtaposition to Scotland could not be more alien - so much for a united kingdom!
I have read varying opinions about making the grant work and horror stories of catastrophe forecast if there is no U-turn. I quiver at the dictatorial style with which the issue of top-up fees has whirled its way into existence.
I commiserate with my PVI colleagues. As intelligent, experienced and qualified professional people, passionate about what is in the best interests of the under- fives, to have no consultation, no opinion sought and no say in the matter must be a harder than hard place to be. More difficult than that is to comprehend a situation where the only choice for parents is no choice - just council-run nurseries. No diversity. No individually-run centres. All state-owned. All state-run.
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