Nursery World - Young children's right to be heard

The Childcare Act (2006) has provided the first legislative underpinning for the rights of young children. The right to an integrated, quality, play-based framework for development and learning from birth to five acknowledges children's right to services that fully meet their needs. But the Act goes further than this; it requires local authorities to have regard to the views of young children in the design, development and delivery of early childhood services'.1 There was much debate in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords that led to the duty on local authorities to have regard to young children's views. Many members were in support of the duty, as were the Early Childhood Forum who lobbied for it, but there was still some concern about how local authorities would go about delivering it.

There was much debate in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords that led to the duty on local authorities to have regard to young children's views. Many members were in support of the duty, as were the Early Childhood Forum who lobbied for it, but there was still some concern about how local authorities would go about delivering it.

Those in favour of the amendment argued that listening to young children is the foundation for quality early childhood practice and therefore integral to new legislation aiming to improve the quality of that provision. There was supporting evidence (Clark et al 2001, Lancaster et al 2003)2 to show that children who feel valued and listened to are able to develop their independence and ability to make choices, and their self-esteem. It was noted that such practice comes from highly trained practitioners who 'se their observational and reflective skills to ensure each individual child's needs are being met and their interests are followed.

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