It hardly seems like four years since the birth of the Early Years National Training Organisation (NTO).
The early years sector wanted its own National Training Organisation, but in 1998 the Government was unwilling to fund the full costs of such a body. When it looked as though an Early Years NTO would not be established, CACHE's trustees stepped in and agreed to set it up and to contribute to its core running costs.
The needs of employers and employees have changed since then, however, and earlier this year the Government invited employers and trade unions to submit proposals for a smaller number of Sector Skills Councils to replace the 72 NTOs, all of whom lost their accreditation on 31 March.
The Sector Skills Councils will be run by employers of small and large settings, the self-employed and others with employment interests. They are being set up to tackle human resource issues, such as reducing skills gaps and shortages, and also to improve performance across the whole of the UK.
Our sector is a profession with a body of knowledge, skills and competencies, and the ability to reflect and learn. It would be helpful to have a sector-wide body to reinforce our professionalism, to remind others that we are a profession, and to develop our professionalism still further. Although each part of the early years sector has its own representative, there is still a need for an overarching body so that we can maximise our influence.
I believe it is vital that the early years sector is represented by a Sector Skills Council because such a body will
* speak on behalf of the whole sector;
* produce generic recruitment material to attract new staff from a diminishing pool of young people;
* tackle the staff retention problems;
* map career progression across the whole sector;
* act as a single source of advice for people who want information about training and qualifications for any part of the early years sector; and
* help the Government achieve its National Childcare Strategy targets of providing affordable, high-quality childcare for every parent and child who needs it.
It is worth recalling what the Early Years NTO achieved in its brief lifespan. In three years it has
* promoted training and professional development;
* increased the popularity of the Early Years Modern Apprenticeship scheme among young people, so that it is now the tenth most-popular of its type;
* produced booklets and literature to attract staff to the early years sector;
* written and marketed an orientation programme for new entrants, called 'Making Choices', so they can make an informed choice about their career development;
* worked with SPRITO, the now-abolished National Training Organisation for Sport, Recreation and Allied Occupations, including Playwork, to develop a quality assurance scheme for training providers;
* developed a Level 4 NVQ for early years managers, senior practitioners and quality assurance staff;
* advised on the development of an Early Years Foundation Degree on behalf of the sector; and
* supported the Government by handling enquiries from its national recruitment campaign in England, and by writing and distributing publicity material for the Modern Apprenticeship scheme and S/NVQs.
The Early Years NTO has built up a momentum that must not be lost. Dr Elaine Sauve's research for the National Day Nurseries Association on behalf of the early years sector will identify how the sector wants to proceed - but only if we all participate in the debate, as the strength of her conclusions is dependent on the number of people who contribute to the debate.
There are many possible solutions. I believe it is vital that there is a Sector Skills Council representing everyone who works with children. Regardless of what job they are doing, people working with children share some common knowledge and competencies. The size of this common core is such that I believe it makes sense for there to be a single approach to recruitment and training strategies. Otherwise there could be fragmentation and loss of influence over Government policy.
So don't let us lose the unity of purpose built up over the past few years. As we await the outcome of the consultation, at least the Government has, in the meantime funded CACHE to 31 August to continue the core functions of the Early Years National Training Organisation.
Richard Dorrance is chief executive of the Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education (CACHE)