Nursery World - Take a reality check on training days

I am quite concerned about the part of the news story 'Childminders face standards change' (27 June) that concerns training days for the private nursery sector. It is ludicrous of Dr Tony Munton of the Institute of Education to think that all day nurseries can close on the same day to train their staff and that parents can find childcare for that day or take the day off work and stay at home with them. Some of our parents do not have family close by and would be unable to make other childcare arrangements. Plus the financial cost of these training days to the nurseries would be astronomical; add all the Bank Holidays and it would put us in a serious financial position.

It is ludicrous of Dr Tony Munton of the Institute of Education to think that all day nurseries can close on the same day to train their staff and that parents can find childcare for that day or take the day off work and stay at home with them. Some of our parents do not have family close by and would be unable to make other childcare arrangements. Plus the financial cost of these training days to the nurseries would be astronomical; add all the Bank Holidays and it would put us in a serious financial position.

Regarding staff training on Saturdays, most courses our nursery staff go on are held during the week. When courses are on a Saturday, our staff have the choice of a paid day off in the week or being paid for that extra day.

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