Opinion: The Minister's view - The next steps for childcare providers

Last month, when we published The Next Steps for Early Learning and Childcare: Building on the ten-year strategy, my department outlined how we plan to develop early learning and childcare further so that it becomes the excellent modern universal public service parents need.

Since 1997 early learning and childcare has moved on leaps and bounds. Families now have access to a wide range of childcare support, from free part-time provision for two-, three- and four-year-olds and flexible working and extended leave for parents, to Sure Start Children's Centres and a greater financial support to parents through tax credits and employer-supported childcare vouchers. The document outlined commitments to extend free childcare places to the most disadvantaged two-year-olds in every local authority, to enable parents to stretch the existing free offer to cover more than 38 weeks a year and to develop a price comparison website to help parents find childcare in their region to suit their budget. However, much of the document was dedicated to the professionals and how we can help every childcare provider develop the highly trained, self-confident workforce that we know makes the biggest difference to children.