In the recent White Paper 'The Importance of Teaching' (News, 25 November) the Government asserts that 'all the evidence from different education systems around the world shows that the most important factor in determining how well children do is the quality of teachers and teaching'. It sets out plans to 'create a new national network of Teaching Schools, on the model of teaching hospitals, giving outstanding schools the role of leading the training and professional development of teachers and head teachers'.
Members of the National Campaign for Real Nursery Education have campaigned for many years to stress the importance of specialist early years teachers and to promote maintained nursery schools as the equivalent of teaching hospitals for students in early years education. The vast majority of these nursery schools are also Children's Centres serving disadvantaged areas and are rated 'good' or 'outstanding' by Ofsted. But, when it comes to this White Paper, nursery schools and their highly skilled headteachers and teachers are not mentioned. In fact, it is clear from other articles in the same edition of Nursery World that their survival will be compromised by other Government initiatives such as the Single Funding Formula.
Why is it that successive Governments cannot understand that a quality education system needs to start from a consideration of the most important early years and build upwards? Outstanding nursery schools offer a fantastic model of learning and teaching and should be given the same chance as other maintained schools to be leaders in their field.
Margaret Edgington, vice president, National Campaign for Real Nursery Education
Our letter of the week wins £30 worth of books
CHECK YOUR POLICIES
We have serious concerns, following the recent serious case review carried out by Plymouth Safeguarding Children Board and the possible consequences of its criticism of the inspection regime, that the impact on the nursery sector could be underestimated by some nursery owners.The report concluded that poor regulation, inadequate training and a lack of supervision at Little Ted's nursery in Plymouth created an 'ideal environment' in which Vanessa George could sexually assault children in her care.
The review found that local and national procedures, policy, guidance and regulations had not been followed. It examined the recruitment and vetting processes. It found that senior staff's knowledge of procedures was lacking, and the child protection policies incomplete. The nursery manager had not been trained in safe recruitment procedures and did not carry out formal staff supervision within the nursery.
At Is:Hr we believe a more stringent inspection process and a heightened probe into recruitment procedures will be carried out by Ofsted in future inspections. We have concerns that this report may result in many nurseries considered 'good' or 'satisfactory' by Ofsted, being graded 'poor' due to policies and procedures being missing, out of date or misunderstood.
We would urge all nurseries owners to review their policies and procedures and to seek help from specialists where necessary. Good HR practice will come under the microscope like never before.
Michele Payne, Director, Is:Hr Management, Derby
GRATEFUL FAMILIES
On behalf of everyone at Family Action, thank you for sending the very generous donation of £1,000. The story behind how this donation came about at the Nursery World awards night made for fantastic reading (News, 25 November). We also thank Asquith Nurseries, without whom this fantastic donation would not have been possible.
Family Action provides vital support to disadvantaged children and families. We work with the whole family, providing practical, emotional and financial support to help them find solutions to problems including mental health, domestic abuse and financial hardship. It is with donations such as this that we will be able to continue helping to make a positive difference to their lives.
Joanna Howarth, major gifts, corporate and events fundraiser, Family Action
Send your letters to ... The Editor, Nursery World, 174 Hammersmith Road, London W6 7JP, letter.nw@haymarket.com, 020 8267 8401.