FAMILY PARTNERSHIP
It pleased me greatly to hear that there will be a Government campaign to encourage fathers and grandfathers to spend a day in a nursery setting.
For ten years I worked as the early years co-ordinator in an international school in Budapest and 'Parents in Partnership' was very much a part of the school ethos. We had an open door policy; everyone was welcome throughout the day to participate in any of the activities.
Many of these fathers had demanding professions and some could be away for most of the week on business, so when they were available they were keen to be included in their children's education as much as possible. Interestingly, it was many of the fathers who helped the children settle into nursery. Fathers enjoyed being asked to read a story to a group or show photographs of their childhood, especially as many of the families were from other countries.
When open days were held the parents would support us and talk to prospective parents and take them on tours of the nursery. Play evenings to help parents understand how children learn through play were always fully attended.
I truly believe all family members should be encouraged to be a part of children's early days in an educational setting. Together we can support them to understand that we are all in a partnership to build their life-long learning.
Sue Williams, Cyncoed, Cardiff.
Letter of the Week wins £30 worth of children's books
TRUE COST TO PARENTS
I have some concerns about the Daycare Trust survey (News, 31 January), which seems to lay the emphasis on rising childcare fees for parents and leaves out, until the last paragraph, the help parents receive.
What needs to be emphasised is the net cost to parents of childcare and not just the headline figure, which is misleading to the public and provides negative publicity for the press to use against nursery providers.
It should be remembered that, in principle, childcare costs can be met by the Government to the tune of up to 80 per cent, and additional support is provided for the education of three- and four- year-olds through early education funding. Additionally, all parents receive child benefit, which is again a contribution towards the costs associated with having children. Salary sacrifice schemes also give parents much needed support.
Surely better mileage could be had by the Daycare Trust if more focus was given to the net costs to parents, by highlighting a few case studies where the subsidies are seen to be working. If they are not working, then the proper promotion of the difficulties with the system may be better than just bare statistics that do not delve into the nuances that bedevil childcare costs and parental arrangements.
Raymond Whyte, business support officer, Brent Early Years Service, London
INSPECTOR'S THREAT
As a parent of a three-year-old in a fabulous village playgroup registered for children aged two-and-a-half and older, I was most concerned to find out that an Ofsted inspector told them last month that they had 'committed a serious offence and could be closed down' because they allowed parents with their under-twos to come in and help.
I used to visit this playgroup when my child was a baby, sit in the book area with him on my lap and read stories to the children. I was never counted in ratio, nor was my baby, who I took full responsibility for. This has been the arrangement for other parents in our playgroup.
The impact of what the inspector said not only has huge implications for a playgroup that is at the heart of the community and prides itself on the parental links that it has forged, but it also goes against one of the core messages of the EYFS.
We were most put out to hear that a similar village playgroup was visited by Ofsted in January and throughout the session had a parent and eight-month-old present. This inspector didn't question their presence.
It appears that two inspectors given evidence of the same situation made two entirely different inspection responses. Where is the consistency of approach and security of judgement?
S B Jones, North Yorkshire.
