News

Editor's view

If you were one of the nearly seven million people who watched the BBC1 documentary 'Nurseries Undercover' last week, you will no doubt be appalled at the bad practice revealed and worried that daycare is getting bad press that the majority of settings don't deserve (see News, page 4). However, the programme should be a wake-up call to the Government in terms of ensuring high quality as the childcare sector expands. For, all too often, the Government has been half-hearted in its commitment to quality, faced with the pressure to meet targets based on quantity. It lowered the staff qualifications needed under the National Daycare Standards; it abolished targets for settings to meet quality assurance schemes; it requires local authorities to employ support teachers whose recommendations are too often ignored or overruled by less qualified Ofsted inspectors; it trumpets its belief in a robust inspection regime, but is looking to move to less frequent, light-touch inspections with fewer inspectors.

However, the programme should be a wake-up call to the Government in terms of ensuring high quality as the childcare sector expands. For, all too often, the Government has been half-hearted in its commitment to quality, faced with the pressure to meet targets based on quantity. It lowered the staff qualifications needed under the National Daycare Standards; it abolished targets for settings to meet quality assurance schemes; it requires local authorities to employ support teachers whose recommendations are too often ignored or overruled by less qualified Ofsted inspectors; it trumpets its belief in a robust inspection regime, but is looking to move to less frequent, light-touch inspections with fewer inspectors.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Unlimited access to news and opinion

  • Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here