CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW ROLE, WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR PACEY GOING FORWARD?
Thank you, I’m delighted to be taking the lead at PACEY at such an important time for the early years and childcare sector. My priority going forward is to ensure that our hardworking, resilient members feel fully valued and supported. Time and again we hear the concerns of childminders and those working in group settings that they feel overlooked and unappreciated by government, and that is wholly unacceptable. So, we will continue to support them directly but also to elevate their voice to ensure government takes their concerns seriously.
IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED THAT CHILDMINDERS HAVE BEEN LEAVING THE SECTOR EN MASSE FOR SOME TIME. DO YOU HAVE PLANS TO TRY AND STOP THIS TREND AND EVEN REVERSE IT?
Childminders are a crucial part of the early years and childcare sector, offering flexible support and care to children but also, in many cases, to the wider family. However, if current trends continue, we will have next to no childminders left in as little as ten years. We continue to work with the Department for Education, Ofsted and local authorities to promote childminding and highlight the value they add to their communities.
There are a number of ways that being a childminder could be made easier, butthe core issue is sustainability. Too often childminders are working hand to mouth with precarious finances, and it is no surprise when so many decide to leave to earn money in a more reliable way.
WHAT IS YOUR STANCE ON CHILDMINDING AGENCIES?
We have an open mind in regard to childminder agencies. We want to collaborate and support each other to build a whole sector that is stronger and sustainable for the future.
YOU'VE ACHIEVED A LOT IN YOUR WORKING LIFE. ARE YOU ABLE TO DRAW UPON ANY OF YOUR EXPERIENCE, LOOKING AT YOUR PREVIOUS ROLE AT ACTION FOR CHILDREN IN PARTICULAR AS WELL AS PACEY'S POLICY ADVISOR.
Much of the narrative around childcare at the moment is based on cost, and much of the political drivers around changes to the system are focused on getting parents back to work. Through my working life I have learned that while I believe the emotional, social and educational outcomes for children, and particularly disadvantaged children, are at the root of all that we do, it can never be assumed that is the way others see it, and as dispiriting as it is, we need to be flexible and creative in how we campaign and seek to drive progress in what we do.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE GREATEST CHALLENGES FOR THE ENTIRE SECTOR THIS YEAR AND, SEPARATELY, FOR CHILDMINDERS IN PARTICULAR?
It is no exaggeration to say that we need to focus on our sector's survival this year. The mooted piecemeal changes such as the loosening of ratios have been incredibly disheartening for already overstretched practitioners and will do nothing to halt the exodus from our sector. We need our sector to be taken seriously as an essential part of our educational and economic infrastructure and given the strategic investment it deserves.
IN TERMS OF SUPPORT FOR CHILDMINDERS, WHAT WILL BE PACEY'S FOCUS THIS YEAR?
We continue to offer our popular PACEY Live webinars every month. We recently were joined in conversation by Ofsted discussing the role that curriculum and pedagogy play in high-quality early years education.
We have an exciting range of topics and guest speakers lined up for this year including how loose-parts play supports risk and challenge, Persona Dolls Training explaining how persona dolls can help challenge inequalities and discrimination and introducing their special offer for PACEY childminder members, and music and literacy with Boogie Mites.
We all need to talk through ideas or practice challenges once in a while. PACEY members have exclusive access to our team of specialist advisors. Our PACEY advisors are practitioners too and they are at the end of the phone for a chat to offer reassurance, inspiration or a listening ear.
As well as legal advice offering access to a free, independent legal and HR advice line staffed by experts experienced in handling legal, tax-related and business matters, PACEY members can also talk to a qualified counsellor and access free confidential support and advice by phone for them, members of their family or their employees. Whatever's worrying them, whether it's work-related or personal, or if they are feeling worried and anxious, this service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW PLANNED CAMPAIGNS, RESEARCH OR EVENTS?
Our campaign priority for 2023 is centred on the development of political party manifestos for the next general election. We want to see a clear commitment to a comprehensive review of the current childcare and early years system, similar to that which has been delivered for children's social care and SEND.
IF YOU HAD A MAGIC LAMP, WHAT'S THE ONE WISH YOU WOULD MAKE COME TRUE FOR THE SECTOR THAT YOU FEEL WOULD HAVE AN IMMEASURABLE IMPACT?
We want to see a fully funded five-year strategy for early years and childcare. As highlighted above, it should position our sector as an essential part of infrastructure and it should include ambitions for full integration across local children's and health services, a comprehensive workforce strategy and an end to the muddled streams of entitlements and funding. We live in hope!