We know that the main planks of Government policy will remain, and that progress can be made on initiatives such as children's centres, extended schools and workforce reform.
However, it will be vital for everyone in the sector to keep lobbying for the changes and funding needed to move towards world-class provision, and to keep questioning policy that seems misguided. Will there be enough money to fund the planned programme of children's centres? Where is the money and the vision needed to transform the early years workforce? Can the community ethos of Sure Start be preserved? What will the role of the private and voluntary childcare sectors be? How will integration of children's services develop?
Nursery World will remain a forum for discussion and debate of all the major issues as the new parliament gets under way, and will continue to promote the best quality practice and support the work and worth of well-trained, dedicated practitioners.