Ofsted is currently consulting with parents and providers on key areassuch as self-evaluation, safeguarding and inclusion, as well as onproposals to raise registration fees.
The future of quality assurance schemes was placed under the spotlightand it was suggested that these might play a more complementary role toinspections in the future.
Responding to a panel addressing the roll-out of children's centres, theaudience raised doubts about their sustainability when funding ran out.The Daycare Trust's chief executive Alison Garnham (pictured) said, 'Noone is making a profit in deprived areas. As we've seen, theNeighbourhood Nurseries scheme was great, but many nurseries were unableto keep going once the funding dried up. It may not be possible for amixed market to deliver in these areas and more supply-side funding isneeded.'
On the subject of raising the quality of the workforce, NCMA chiefexecutive Liz Bayram (below) said that more training was needed forchildminders to help them meet the requirements of the EYFS. But sheexpressed concern that that local authorities were likely to struggle tomanage their expanded agendas on existing funding.
'Quality in the sector does not come cheap,' she said. 'So far theTransformation Fund has not managed to transform very much.'
Alison Garnham pointed out that the Graduate Leadership Fund, whichsupersedes the Transformation Fund, will be extended to 2015, as part ofthe Children's Plan.
Refining strategy
Eleven new training courses are being offered by the Daycare Trust fromMarch, aimed at providers, local authorities, parent advisors, employersand councillors. Courses include: Securing sufficient childcare: localauthority powers and responsibilities; Childcare data collection andanalysis; Involving parents in service development and delivery; TheChildcare Act 2006: context, duties and strategic role; Help withchildcare costs. Visit www.daycaretrust.org.uk.
Forward path
CWDC is providing an additional 12-month training pathway to its currenttraining programme, which runs alongside its validation and shortroutes. Visit www.cwdcouncil.org.