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22/03/2013
Childcare Adviser Highly Critical of Government Plan
A key government childcare adviser has blasted proposals to increase the number of children nursery staff can look after in England, saying the plans "make no sense at all".
In her strongly worded response to the government's plans, More Great Childcare, Prof Cathy Nutbrown said the current proposals would "shake the foundations" of quality nursery provisions.
"Watering down ratios regardless of the level of qualifications held by staff is likely to lead to worse, not 'great', childcare and will undermine intentions to provide quality early learning experiences".
"So, do I think changing the ratios will make a difference if people are better qualified?
"The difference will be too few adults with too many little children; too few moments in the day for a toddler to have uninterrupted time with their key person, and too few early years practitioners to talk and work with parents."
"Here is the nub, there is nothing relaxing about the proposal to 'relax' ratios. It will lead to stress - for children, for parents and for early years practitioners, whatever their title or qualification."
It was impossible to provide "good foundations for life and learning for the youngest children on the cheap", she added.
(H)
In her strongly worded response to the government's plans, More Great Childcare, Prof Cathy Nutbrown said the current proposals would "shake the foundations" of quality nursery provisions.
"Watering down ratios regardless of the level of qualifications held by staff is likely to lead to worse, not 'great', childcare and will undermine intentions to provide quality early learning experiences".
"So, do I think changing the ratios will make a difference if people are better qualified?
"The difference will be too few adults with too many little children; too few moments in the day for a toddler to have uninterrupted time with their key person, and too few early years practitioners to talk and work with parents."
"Here is the nub, there is nothing relaxing about the proposal to 'relax' ratios. It will lead to stress - for children, for parents and for early years practitioners, whatever their title or qualification."
It was impossible to provide "good foundations for life and learning for the youngest children on the cheap", she added.
(H)
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Childcare charges rise over summer holidays
Families face a huge rise in the cost of summer holiday childcare, according to a new survey published today by the national childcare charity, Daycare Trust. The typical weekly cost of a place for a child in a summer holiday play scheme is set to rise by 16%, according to the report. Currently, the typical cost for childcare is £67.
Childcare charges rise over summer holidays
Families face a huge rise in the cost of summer holiday childcare, according to a new survey published today by the national childcare charity, Daycare Trust. The typical weekly cost of a place for a child in a summer holiday play scheme is set to rise by 16%, according to the report. Currently, the typical cost for childcare is £67.
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