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Why is pre-school the poor relation?

It was interesting to read Charles Clarke's perception of, and vision for, the Department for Education and Skills ('In my view', 7 November). I was disappointed that he did not at any point mention the pre-school sector and the role it plays in ensuring that children reach their schooldays ready to 'enjoy ... be stimulated ... feeling confident to meet the future challenges of life'.

I was disappointed that he did not at any point mention the pre-school sector and the role it plays in ensuring that children reach their schooldays ready to 'enjoy ... be stimulated ... feeling confident to meet the future challenges of life'.

We have had the opportunity to read and reflect upon some exciting research material over the past year, some of which has been excellently summarised in Nursery World. This identifies appropriate, positive experiences in the early years as of paramount importance in establishing learning, social and life patterns from schooldays onwards.

Teamwork is one of the driving factors as pre-school providers and practitioners across the country continue to rise to the challenges of meeting the national standards for under-eights daycare, the development of quality assurance schemes, the complications of understanding how the training framework will work, and how to 'upskill' and continue to develop professionally. This is all tackled alongside working with children and families, ensuring good-quality, appropriate early learning experiences through play.

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