I find it frustrating that we are referred to as 'childcarers', whatever our experience and qualifications may be. We are working for very low wages, whereas people with the same qualifications in the maintained sector are paid professional salaries.
When the Foundation Stage was introduced, many of us were hopeful that there would be a level playing field for all children and practitioners in the early years. However, this has not happened and so we continue to find ourselves regulated and funded by very different systems. Increasingly the maintained sector is being credited with providing the Foundation Stage, when in reality it is the private and voluntary sectors that are providing most of it, subsidised by those of us who work within it.
Despite this, most of us in 'childcare' would prefer to work in this sector because it is regulated by the care standards which, among other things, provide children with an appropriate adult:child ratio. I know from my own experience of 14 years of 'childcare' that it takes people with special qualities, including patience, flexibility, and knowledge and understanding of children's emotional and physical needs, to work with very young children.
There is a case to be made for 'care' not to be eclipsed by 'education'. I cannot praise enough the Sure Start pack Birth to Three Matters as the basis for the necessity of both care and education, which are not separate in the early years. The principles contained in it are relevant throughout childhood.
