Nutbrown Review: Final report maps way ahead for quality early years workforce

The final report of the independent review of early education and childcare qualifications stresses the need for high-quality qualifications for the workforce, to narrow the gap between disadvantaged children and their peers.

Professor Nutbrown said, ‘I have seen many inspirational examples of dedicated staff providing the best environment for playing and learning. I want more young children to benefit from this.

‘Every child deserves excellent early education and care, and every parent should be confident that their child is getting the best. Early education and care needs to support babies’ and young children’s all round well-being and development. That is why I want the workforce to really understand child development, the importance of play, and have good English and maths skills.’

‘There is no doubt that high quality education is important. We need to make sure the early years workforce has the necessary skills, qualifications and experience to provide the very best for our young children.’

She added, ‘My recommendations stress quality in ensuring that staff are as good as they can be, and have the skills, knowledge, and understanding to make the most of the Government’s investment in the early years. Working in the early years sector should be a recognised and fulfilling career that attracts the best women and men.

 ‘There cannot be a compromise on quality and we must be relentless in our desire to improve experience for young children. Taken together, I believe my recommendations will give parents and the early years workforce confidence in the standards of early education and care qualifications.’

The Government will publish a response to the recommendations later this year.

Children’s minister Sarah Teather said, ‘This Government wants the best for our young people. It is clear that if children are to have the best start in life, then they must have excellent early education. The evidence that disadvantaged children particularly benefit from quality early education is compelling.

'We have already transformed free early education by offering free childcare to hundreds of two year-olds across the country. I want to build on this, so that the poorest children and their families can reap the benefits from our investment around the country.