FREE AT A PRICE
Derek Hayes is spot on (Letters, 16 October). The whole idea of so-called 'free' entitlement is ludicrous. It's never free. There is no such thing as a free lunch. If one child has a free entitlement then somebody has to fund it. And it's usually the poor taxpayer, in one form or another.
These sorts of 'incentives' distort markets. Markets respond to a number of factors but quality and cost are two of the biggest. If you're providing good-quality care and your costs aren't too dear, you will ordinarily find you have customers. Unless, of course, the Government provides the service 'free' - and you can't get cheaper than free.
The response to this is state rationing - see the story about Cardiff council (News, 16 October).
In economic terms, free provision is, classically, met with unlimited demand - and the only way to control unlimited demand is for those in authority to make up a bunch of rules, so that sufficient numbers are excluded until the numbers of places matches the number of bodies.
The demand is artificially limited. Unlimited demand is a paradox that cannot be solved - a socialist fool's paradise. Somebody, somewhere, has to foot the bill.
Christopher Price, Merton Court School, Sidcup, Kent
Letter of the Week wins £30 worth of books
NORMAL, NOT SPECIAL
I would like to congratulate you on your article about multicultural and special needs equipment (Face to face, 2 October). I have been complaining for years about the black dolls for sale in the high street - they are merely white dolls dipped in brown paint.
I also agree that the children are totally unaware of the additional equipment that a disabled child may have, and wrongly use the equipment in role play.
In a recent inspection, I was criticised for not having enough 'special needs' equipment. My argument is that children see it in the natural environment when we are outside the setting and are then a lot more accepting of it. I also have books with children in wheelchairs etc in them, but the standard stories rarely have them in. We need to campaign to make it part of normal living and stop highlighting people with disabilities as a rare species.
Michelle Levene, childminder, Jolly Tots
HEALTHY FOOD VITAL
I read 'Nurseries serving unhealthy food', 'Food for thought' and 'Snack time' with interest (all 23 October), as we at Acorn Childcare Training have delivered courses on implementing and encouraging healthy eating across the UK for many years, based on Caroline Walker Trust standards.
In common with your articles, we have found that there is a lack of knowledge, understanding and awareness of the issues surrounding a healthy diet, how to encourage healthy eating, what makes a healthy diet and the nutritional needs of under-fives.
At a time when obesity in the UK is receiving much publicity, childcare providers need to understand the part they play in laying lifelong foundations for eating habits in the children they care for.
Childcare settings should encourage the eating and enjoyment of fruit and vegetables, as well as being positive role models for good eating habits and regular meal times.
'Food for thought' includes a call for Ofsted to govern meal standards. From our experience, Ofsted does not have the knowledge to enforce this and indeed, several recent Ofsted inspections have bypassed the kitchen and dining-room completely.
I would call upon all childcare providers to not only fulfil their business and Early Years Foundation Stage obligations, but also their moral and ethical ones to help ensure the development of a balanced diet.
But be warned, if pre-school childcare meal regulation goes the same way as school meal regulation, be prepared to analyse every meal to the last ingredient for nutritional value - primary schools even have to analyse the zinc and iron content.
Calvin Hanks, lead nutrition and safety consultant, Acorn Childcare Training, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
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