Moves that the vast majority of those working with young children believed would be harmful and would seriously affect the quality of practice had been defeated, representing a complete U-turn on the More Great Childcare plan.
The early years sector is diverse and widely spread. Often it is hard for professionals to get together to push for change. This felt different.
Petitions were signed by thousands. Parents joined the protest through Netmums and Mumsnet. The growing power of social media in particular eased communication, with Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn on fire with calls to action.
So why, in the Children and Families Bill debate where the ratios reverse was officially confirmed, did education and childcare minister Elizabeth Truss give as the reason the failure to secure cross-Government agreement? No mention of the overwhelming disagreement from practitioners and parents, or the consultation that provoked so much negative feedback. No mention of the evidence and research that the sector highlighted to prove its case.
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