The Pre-School Learning Alliance’s campaign, Rewind on Ratios, which calls for the Government to scrap its plan on changes to childcare ratios in England, has received the support of Mumsnet and Netmums.
A Mumsnet webchat in February with the education and childcare minister revealed the extent to which parents are against Government plans to reform childcare.
The Pre-School Learning Alliance’s chief executive Neil Leitch (pictured) said, ‘We are delighted that Mumsnet is supporting our campaign. As the UK’s largest network for parents, Mumsnet is a truly representative voice for the parents of this country.
‘We at the Alliance believe that parents are their children’s first and most important educators, and so it is vital that their views are heard on this crucial issue.
‘The Government claims that relaxing childcare ratios will give parents more choice and allow them to give their children the best start in life. If this is the case, why are so many parents so strongly opposed to the proposals? Parents recognise that these plans will lead to a substantial decline in the quality of childcare, and will put their children’s safety at risk. It’s time the Government listened to their concerns.’
Justine Roberts, founder of Mumsnet, said, ‘There is a lot of concern amongst Mumsnet users about the Government’s plans to relax childcare ratios. Four babies under the age of one seems like a lot for even the most-experienced childcare worker to manage.
‘When we surveyed our members about the cost of childcare, only five per cent of parents supported ratio relaxation even when it meant lower costs. We really do think the Government needs to rethink its plans.’
Siobhan Freegard, founder of Netmums said, 'Netmums is pleased to support the the Pre-School Learning Alliance’s campaign. Changing the childcare ratio has united feeling on the Netmums forums and both parents and childcarers are against it.
'There is a perception childcare is child’s play, but this is wrong. It is difficult work requiring patience, empathy, a caring personality and the ability to teach. But on Netmums we’ve heard from hundreds of excellent nursery workers who are considering leaving a job they love if the new ratios are implemented as they feel they will struggle to provide a high enough the standard of care.
'It also seems bizarre that the Government has pumped millions into the Early Years Foundation Stage in a bid to raise standards in nurseries, but is now going to make it harder for staff to implement by giving them less time with each child.'
She added, 'The vast majority of working parents have little choice but to use a nursery as they cannot afford more expensive options like a nanny, and dropping staff ratios will see dropping standards. Sadly this policy feels like it’s about what’s best in the short term for the economy, not what’s best in the long term for children.'
More than 14,000 parents have signed the Pre-School Learning Alliance’s paper petition against the relaxation of childcare ratios, and more than 9,000 have gone online to sign the Alliance’s official Government e-petition.
The Department for Education has reiterated that only high quality providers will be able to take advantage of the flexibilty on ratios.
A DfE spoksperson said, 'Only high quality providers will be able to take advantage of the flexibility that our reforms on ratios offer - which countries like France and Denmark already use successfully. The OECD has said that staff qualifications are the best predictor of the quality of early childhood education and care.
'Indeed, many of the largest childcare providers in England already operate higher ratios in Ireland and Scotland, but no one is suggesting quality has suffered there as a result. Of course, it will be up to professionals to decide what is best for the children they look after, and up to parents whether they choose settings with better quality, but fewer, staff.'
Comments made by Elizabeth Truss last week that ‘nurseries are breeding a generation of toddlers with no manners’, have also continued to spark outrage among the early years sector. In light of this, June O’Sullivan, chief executive of the London Early Years Foundation, has called for the sector to unite to make their voices heard by the education and childcare minister.
Ms Sullivan has suggested the sector make 1 June the day to take over the early years debate.