Editor's view - what's in store in 2011?

Welcome to 2011, which promises to be a hugely important year for the shortand medium-term future of early years education and childcare.

A read through our Analysis piece on the hopes and fears that a wide range of sector representatives have for the year ahead shows great consistency of opinions (see pages 12-14). The cuts to local authority funding and the likely destructive effects to young children's services are obviously top of mind.

More specifically, it is evident that difficulties with the Single Funding Formula for the free entitlement could reach crisis point this year. Nursery owners in our feature warn of settings going out of business and even 'the implosion of the entire system'!

With no change, or extra money, in prospect, we will be monitoring the situation closely.

The move to further formalisation of early education with a narrow focus on 'getting ready for school' is another common fear, with our respondents making a plea for children's right to enjoy their childhood.

In fact, it's hard to avoid the conclusion that people's fears are rather more likely to be realised than their hopes. The review of the Early Years Foundation Stage, due to be released in March, is perhaps one exception, as there is reasonable optimism that the pleas for 'not too much change' will be heeded.

Also on a positive note, 2011 is the Year of Communication, 'Hello', and there will be lots happening to promote the importance of speech and language development from birth. Nursery World will have regular articles linking in with Hello's themes, including the first of a great new series by Helen Moylett and an interview with Communication Champion Jean Gross in our next issue.