QUALIFIED MATTERS
I was saddened by Della Grizzell's response to the debate about qualifications (Letters, 12 February).
The EPPE research by Dr Kathy Sylva clearly draws a correlation between the level of staff qualifications and the effectiveness of the provision. I have seen and worked with very poor early years provision which has mainly been down to the lack of knowledge and understanding of what is appropriate for young children delivered by unqualified but experienced staff.
This is by no means in any disrespect for people who choose to work with children, are committed to this work but are happy to contribute in their own way. I believe there is a place for these individuals, as they bring something different to a setting. However, many unqualified staff have unrealistic expectations placed on them to take a role as a keyperson, undertake observations which can be a real challenge if you have never experienced this before, evaluate these and then plan the children's learning.
Isn't it time to put this 'qualification versus experience' debate to bed? As a childcare workforce, do we not want recognition for the valuable work that we undertake with children and their families? We all talk about Every Child Matters and every child being given every opportunity to reach their full potential - surely, then, children deserve the best we can give them?
Eileen Blezard, early years consultant, Childcare Consultancy Management Services, Rugby
VOUCHER DELAYS
I was sorry to read the letter 'Are vouchers safe?' (5 March) regarding delays in the processing of childcare vouchers.
Any delay in processing vouchers will understandably cause frustration. The majority of, if not all, vouchers firms generate their income from a set service charge. There is therefore no benefit to them in delaying the process.
Delays can in fact result in extra costs being incurred by the firm, through the need for increases in customer service activity. Most importantly, they can negatively affect a firm's relationship with its customers, having serious implications for future business.
There are a number of firms operating in the childcare vouchers field and the service provided can vary according to the one used. In addition, some operate a 'ring-fenced client money' approach to funds, meaning that employer and parent money is always protected, no matter what happens to the company. To eliminate differing standards in the industry, Busy Bees Childcare Vouchers is actively pursuing the introduction of a standard code of practice.
Ultimately, vouchers represent money belonging to hard working parents and that is how they should be valued. Providing parents with a quality service and experience and building high levels of customer confidence remain an integral part of our philosophy.
Simon Moore, managing director, Busy Bees Childcare Vouchers
EMPLOYERS' DUTIES
Jennie Johnson deserved the 'Letter of the Week' accolade (5 March) for expressing concern that it is only a matter of time before a voucher provider will fold. She asks what protection there is for customers of nurseries if the voucher provider goes bust holding money representing vouchers which has not been passed to the nurseries.
The answer is probably that the customer's employer is liable to make good the loss. After all, the voucher provider is simply the employer's agent for operating part of the employer's scheme. So the employer should satisfy itself about the safety of the money before it reaches the nurseries nominated by the participating employees.
More to the point, perhaps, an employer should ask itself why it is using a voucher provider at all, even a voucher provider as safe as the Bank of England. Passing on money to nurseries isn't much for the voucher provider to be doing for its commission: if an employer can pay its staff on pay day, it can just as easily pay the participants' nurseries at the same time. All that it needs to run a scheme are the correct documents, contractually sound in terms of salary sacrifice and PAYE-compliant, available on the market at very modest cost.
Anthony Rentoul, senior partner, Abacus Voucher Solutions
- Send your letters to ... The Editor, Nursery World, 174 Hammersmith Road, London W6 7JP; letter.nw@haymarket.com; 020 8267 8401
