Nursery World - Settling for less

I was rather bemused to read in a news story ('Nursery nurses gain record rise', 3 July) that 'the new deal brings nursery nurses closer in line with classroom assistants'. How can this be? However did a situation arise where classroom assistants (who need have no qualifications) were being paid more than nursery nurses with two years of training and studying behind them. I know nursery nurses have been undervalued, but this situation is absolutely ridiculous and it was described by Liz Roberts in her editorial as 'a good settlement'. What is going on?

How can this be? However did a situation arise where classroom assistants (who need have no qualifications) were being paid more than nursery nurses with two years of training and studying behind them. I know nursery nurses have been undervalued, but this situation is absolutely ridiculous and it was described by Liz Roberts in her editorial as 'a good settlement'. What is going on?

Lynne Atkinson Twickenham, Middlesex

The editor replies: In Kirklees, for some years nursery nurses' pay and conditions had fallen behind classroom assistants due to local contracts.

This was a situation that long needed to be resolved, which has now happened. That is why it is a good settlement.

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