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Government must raise the bar in nursery education by making the investment needed
24 September 2012Commenting on the recent report by The Sutton Trust which calls for a better qualified Early Years work force, Anne Longfield OBE, Chief Executive of 4Children, said:
The quality of early years provision is crucial in making the difference for children – especially for disadvantaged children who need help the most. Excellent early years support can have a real impact on a child’s life chances – with long term benefits through school and beyond.
Having well trained, highly qualified and motivated staff is crucial to ensuring good quality early years education. The Sutton Trusts recent report and the Nutbrown review earlier this year are very welcome in making this case in the strongest terms.
Excellent early years workers can have a real impact on a child’s life chances and for too long, the early years has been seen as a lower status career option. There should be a clear plan to raise the status of the sector and improve the quality of early years provision and in doing so we will see ever better outcomes for young children. If the Government wants to give children the best start in life it must accept the challenge of raising the bar in nursery education and make the investment needed.”
4Children
4Children is the national charity all about children and families. We have spearheaded a joined-up, integrated approach to children’s services and work with a wide range of partners around the country to ensure children and families have access to the services and support they need in their communities. We run Sure Start Children’s Centres as well as family and youth services across Britain.
We develop, influence and shape national policy on all aspects of the lives of children, young people and families. As the Government’s strategic partner for early years and childcare we have a crucial role in co-producing policy with the Department of Education and representing the sector’s views and experiences. Our national campaigns, like Give Me Strength, change policy and practice and put the needs of children and families on the political and policy agenda.
For more information visit www.4children.org.uk
For further information please contact Ilana Rapaport (020 755 6928/07917870641/ Ilana.rapaport@4children.org.uk) or William Staynes (07917542464/ William.Staynes@4children.org.uk)