In her letter ('Qualified for the job', 31 July), Hilary Faust makes important points about the issue of teachers as part of the staff teams in children's centres. Indeed, it is the leadership by teachers that enabled less qualified staff to be better pedagogues in the powerful EPPE research that she quotes. I hope to convince Hilary that it is similarly important that the leader of the integrated setting has qualified teacher status as part of their background of qualifications and experience. The children and families benefiting from the joined-up services offered by the children's centres need to have confidence that it is their learning and development that is being supported.
In her letter ('Qualified for the job', 31 July), Hilary Faust makes important points about the issue of teachers as part of the staff teams in children's centres. Indeed, it is the leadership by teachers that enabled less qualified staff to be better pedagogues in the powerful EPPE research that she quotes.
I hope to convince Hilary that it is similarly important that the leader of the integrated setting has qualified teacher status as part of their background of qualifications and experience. The children and families benefiting from the joined-up services offered by the children's centres need to have confidence that it is their learning and development that is being supported.
A positive ethos based on individual progress, rather than mitigating deprivation, will lead to an inclusive service and achieve the important social outcomes of the programme. Developing potential and securing a sure start to education are key objectives both for children's centres and for our future society.
Jane Cole Support headteacher to the Forum for Maintained Nursery Schools in England
