Opinion: Editor's view
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The early years sector needs to let politicians know what they want from any government.
It's almost impossible to predict what the result of the next General Election will be, with the balance constantly shifting between Gordon Brown and David Cameron. This week's appointment of former Chancellor Kenneth Clarke to the Tories' shadow front bench is likely to add weight to the Conservative cause as a response to the return of Peter Mandelson!
With the voting too close to call at the moment, it is vital for the early years sector to press its case with politicians of all persuasions. Lobbying cannot wait until the next Government takes the reins.
With this in mind, Pat Gordon-Smith spoke exclusively to Maria Miller, Shadow Minister for the Family, about Tory early years policy (Analysis, pages 16-17). Ms Miller's words need some interpretation, but it appears that the Early Years Foundation Stage would be subject to some speedy revision or 'sharpening'; there would be less emphasis on centre-based provision and more on informal care; and quality childcare would be measured by children's readiness for school.
However, Ms Miller stresses that there is no need to 'pre-judge' what a Conservative Government would do. There's no time to waste, then, if the early years sector wants to get its messages about the best interests of young children heard.
Another exclusive for Nursery World this week is our annual nanny salary survey, carried out by Nannytax (see pages 14-15). Nannies' pay tends to give a good indication of the state of the economy, and already salaries in central London have fallen for both daily and live-in positions.
Finally, don't miss our great new pull-out series starting next week on Observation, Assessment and Planning.
