Nursery World - Unison's priorities set for early years

Public services union Unison has set out two key goals for the early years in its education manifesto, launched at a parliamentary reception in Westminster last week. The manifesto, which includes Unison's policy priorities for all education staff from early years to university, calls for recognition that nursery education is key to providing equal opportunities for all children and tackling social exclusion, and for access to high-quality, affordable childcare for all children that is provided by properly trained and fairly paid staff.

The manifesto, which includes Unison's policy priorities for all education staff from early years to university, calls for recognition that nursery education is key to providing equal opportunities for all children and tackling social exclusion, and for access to high-quality, affordable childcare for all children that is provided by properly trained and fairly paid staff.

Unison's priorities for staff are decent pay and a career structure. The manifesto says, 'Pay levels for early years staff should reflect their expertise and responsibilities in the education team. They are a very committed and professional group of staff and increasingly involved in the full responsibilities of the classroom, yet their salary is less than half of that of teachers.'

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