Editor's view

For couples who are happy to work together, running a childminding business from home can be an ideal way of balancing domestic and professional life.

Both mothers and fathers can see more of their own children; cover for illness or absence is easier to arrange; a greater range of activities can be provided, with all ages catered for; and families using the service can benefit from having a male carer's involvement. This kind of arrangement is not for everyone, but, as our feature shows, it can work really well.

There is much debate currently about early years workforce reform and the role of teachers and/or pedagogues as graduate leaders. In this week's Special Report (pages 10-11), Sue Owen examines concerns in the sector about relying on teachers and the case for a new tailor-made pedagogue model. Meanwhile, our lead news story (page 4) uncovers problems already arising as children's centres are finding difficulty in recruiting qualified teachers to what is a very different career with new demands in inter-agency working and uncertain status.