Here are a few of my hopes for the sector during the coming year.
My first wish - that children should be allowed a sensible period of childhood - may stand some chance of becoming reality. I am firmly of the opinion that we start formal education far too early. I am therefore heartened to read that Ed Balls recognises that starting primary school at little more than four years of age - a fact under the present system for most summer babies - should be reviewed. He has taken heed of the vast amount of evidence which shows that such children are academically disadvantaged throughout their schooling, and therefore for life.
As I understand matters, Mr Balls wishes to examine whether even the first year at primary school should be less formal, with the emphasis more on learning through play rather than the existing scholastic approach. If this comes to pass I will be truly happy, as I am sure children will be.
My second wish is that the Government spends more time trying to bridge the very difficult gap in providing fair salaries for those in childcare.
This cannot be solved by constantly raising the minimum wage. No-one in childcare should be on the minimum wage. Simply increasing wage bills for nursery operators is counter-productive to accessibility to quality childcare. What is needed is far more imagination. Whatever the answer may be, something is very wrong in society when those responsible for the early years education and welfare of children can earn more by stacking supermarket shelves.
My final wish is for a slow return to more old-fashioned teaching methods. If, for example, parents devoted as little as 30 minutes a day to reading a book with their child together, we could improve literacy standards by leaps and bounds. Perhaps all nursery operators should send out a letter to parents reminding them of this responsibility, and the joy to be had in sharing in the future development of their children.
- Alan Bentley is chairman of the Childcare Corporation.
