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.

For too long early learning and childcare professionals have worked in the shadow of their primary and secondary teaching colleagues in terms of recognition of the vital role they play. To build the profile of the valuable work carried out by early learning and childcare professionals and to push forward with a high-quality, fully accessible public service, we need to make sure early years settings have the same qualification standards as schools. This is why we are considering making it a legal requirement for anyone working in early learning or childcare to have at least an A-Level or equivalent relevant qualification from 2015. This is not just about qualifications but about creating a universal standard for childcare workers and making best practice the common practice everywhere.

Evidence shows that a well-qualified workforce led by graduate-level professionals is one of the best ways to drive up the quality of early years provision. The new document announced that we are also considering making it a legal requirement to ensure there is a graduate in every full daycare setting by 2015.

We will pilot a programme to attract the best graduates into the sector by mirroring the 'Teach First' programme which is working so well in schools across the country. We will continue working with local authorities to look at how the Graduate Leader Fund can be used to reward commitment and excellence in the profession.

We want to ensure that parents have access to a range of high-quality services in order to tailor childcare and early learning to suit their families. We are continuing our drive to create a level playing field for providers from the maintained and private, voluntary and independent sector.

But none of this can be achieved without you. As we go forward, it will be vital to ensure that future decisions are built on dialogue and debate which is informed by your views and expertise. I am keen to ensure that we establish a more consistent way to consult providers of early learning and childcare in all parts of the sector about the changes, challenges and policy which could affect you all.

I am determined that these next steps are a platform that we can use together to build on the success of the last five years and to help give Nursery World readers and all childcare professionals the support and confidence needed to make this country the best place in the world for our children to grow up.

Beverley Hughes is the Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families. For further information visit www.dcsf.gov.uk