Ministers and MPs were resigning or being reshuffled left, right and centre last week, but few can have attracted such glowing tributes for their work as Beverley Hughes, minister for children (see News, page 3 and expanded story on our website www.nurseryworld.co.uk).
In the past four years, Ms Hughes has overseen the introduction of the Early Years Foundation Stage, the launch of the 3,000th Sure Start children's centre, the progression of the Ten-Year Strategy with Next Steps for Early Learning and Childcare, and the Childcare Act 2006.
Her energy, commitment to the early years, and approachability have been universally praised, even by the Open Eye campaign which has protested so loudly about the statutory nature of the EYFS. There have been frustrations in the early years sector at some of the Government's policies, but there has been much progress under Ms Hughes's tenure and she has worked hard to champion high-quality early education and childcare.
Nursery World would like to thank Beverley Hughes for her contributions to the magazine, especially her monthly columns, and wish her all the best for the future.
Dawn Primarolo comes in as the new children's minister, with a background as public health minister and a substantial stretch in the Treasury at a time when major decisions about funding for the Childcare Strategy were being made. This should stand her in good stead for getting to grips with some thorny issues such as the fair funding formula for the free entitlement to nursery education, which are currently worrying the private and voluntary sector.
The election looming next year will determine whether Ms Primarolo has the chance to make a similar impact to Ms Hughes in this vital position.
