3rd May

NCMA campaigns to keep robust childcare regulation
The National Childminding Association (NCMA) has urged the government to retain the current system of inspection and regulation that surrounds childminders, after increasing debate about the future of childcare in the UK.

Conservative MP Elizabeth Truss has proposed in parliament that the system of childcare in the Netherlands could be a good model for the UK, because it opens up the childcare market.

Under the Dutch system, “host parent agencies” train and monitor childminders, not the government or a national inspectorate.

But NCMA believes the Dutch model advocates deregulation, something that has led the association to launch a campaign to protect the current system of individual registration and inspection of childminders under the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.

The Individual Inspection Matters campaign has already received more than 1,600 responses from NCMA members.

Liz Bayram, NCMA joint chief executive, said: “Our members tell us the current system is valued by parents and childminders, and they strongly believe it should remain.

“In just a matter of days more than 1,600 of our members have already responded to our campaign, telling us the current system is important because it supports safe, high-quality early learning and childcare for children, provides confidence and reassurance to parents choosing childminding and unifies the early years sector through the EYFS. 

“All this provides a level playing field for childminders and supports their business sustainability.”

The campaign is aiming to lobby local and national government, and an online survey will seek the views of childminders across the UK.

Bayram added: “NCMA already knew that childminders’ placed great value on their individual registration and inspection with Ofsted but our survey will provides us with the very latest evidence on why that is the case as well as childminder reaction to the various ideas for alternative regulation and inspection."

source: Janaki Mahadevan, Children & Young People Now

2nd May

MPs urge priority on early years to boost university prospects
The drive to establish a fair admissions system to the top universities should start before school age, a group of MPs has reported.

In its first report, Seven Key Truths About Social Mobility, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Social Mobility said improved parenting skills, school readiness, quality of teaching and a level playing field of out-of-school opportunities for children are essential to improve social mobility in the UK.

It suggested that narrowing the gap in children’s earliest years to enable school readiness will improve school achievement and redress imbalances that mean a fifth of top university places go to privately education students, when only seven per cent of children go to fee-paying schools.

The all-party group was formed last year to examine why social mobility in Britain is low compared with international standards.

Conservative MP Damian Hinds, chair of the group, said: “The pupil premium and extensions of early years provision are important structural changes which should aid social mobility, as were the creation of Sure Start and Teach First. But the scale of the challenge is immense and the very earliest years are an obvious place to prioritise.

“For a long time we have lagged behind our international competitors in ensuring all Britons can realise their potential. To bridge the gap will require a shared commitment between schools, universities and firms, government and the voluntary sector.”

According to the report, a child’s development from birth to three is the “point of greatest leverage” for social mobility. The group acknowledged that broaching parenting is  “difficult territory” for policy makers but said it must be addressed along with early years settings.

Ryan Shorthouse, researcher at the Social Market Foundation, said: "This report rightly highlights the growing importance of soft skills such as self-esteem and concentration for success in education and the modern labour market. The evidence suggests wealthier parents are better able to provide the resources and activities – because of their higher income and stronger networks -  which help cultivate these soft skills.

"Children from poorer socio-economic backgrounds need the opportunity to experience an array of different environments and activities to broaden horizons, acquire new behaviours and foster aspiration. This includes extra-curricular activities, formal childcare and work experience. They key is to improve the accessibility, affordability and quality of these activities.”

The all-party group will now look into social mobility in relation to admissions to higher education institutions; careers advice; enterprise; geography; disability and gender and ethnicity. A final report is due to be published at the end of the year.

source: Janaki Mahadevan, Children & Young People Now