There are many changes to come in the way that services are provided. From the current debate on increasing provision, it strikes me that partnership working has to be the way to achieve this, albeit needing strength of commitment at the top to do this.
Much has changed from my early working days. Thanks to inspection, we should no longer see children neglected and poorly looked after purely for profit. A child's needs are also considered in a more holistic way, so improving their development potential.
All of these improvements mean that the practitioner is required to have many more skills at their fingertips and, of course, recognition needs to go hand in hand with more in-depth training and career structure. The role of the pedagogue could provide the sector with building blocks for a strong foundation and a means to elevate all concerned.
It must be a very exciting time to enter childcare or education, and the rewards are many. Let's hope that the next ten years will see them increase.
* Christine Poole (nee Gibbs), Hove, East Sussex
