Presenters and delegates voiced concern over the Government proposal tomake level 3 mandatory for childcarers. Sharon Alexander, director ofRosy Apple Childcare in Lancashire, said that a good skills mix inprivate business is vital. 'The Government is placing barriers toinnovation,' she said.
Janet Elnaugh, director of Pheonix Day Nursery in Essex, said some localauthorities are linking the free entitlement to qualifications in asetting. 'I would not want to employ a physics graduate just to gainmaximum funding,' she said.
Discussion at a workshop on the free entitlement focused on itsflexibility and whether it met families' real needs.
The NDNA urged its members to participate in the consultation on theCode of Practice and it will be holding an event in London next month toaddress specific areas. Further information is available atwww.ndna.org.
