Nursery World - Look to our past, not Europe

We should remember past mistakes in early years policy when trying to move forward or our youngest children will be in inappropriate environments, say Karen Wickett and Dr Verity Campbell Barr, lecturers in Early Childhood Studies at Plymouth University

There have been many cries of concern from early years practitioners and parents about Liz Truss's proposed increase in child-ratios. Apparently this strategy will be one way of balancing the budgets of early years settings, whilst reducing the spiralling childcare costs for families and the government.

We also sense another cause for concern: that the proposal will see more children entering school at a younger age.

Increasingly we are hearing and observing that local authorities are splitting the provision of the once ‘one stop shop’ Sure Start Children’s Centres (SSCC) by separating the non-sustainable childcare and education provision out by putting it under the management of the nearby school.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included