Having been a childminder for 15 years, a local authority Children Come First network co-ordinator for three years and now lead childminding quality co-ordinator for two years, I felt the need to respond to Simona McKenzie's letter (13 November).
I would agree in part that it seems an unfair playing field for unaccredited childminders. However, I believe that if the Government is funding places, a certain level of quality of provision needs to be identified and monitored regularly. Is not the EYFS a document that promotes quality improvement?
Ofsted's 'Leading to Excellence' report identifies that childminders who take part in quality assurance schemes are more likely to provide good or outstanding care for children. Indeed, I have found this in my own experience of working with a range of childminders.
I hope that when the Code of Practice on the provision of free nursery education places for three- and four-year-olds is reviewed in 2009, the requirements for childminders to belong to a 'network that meets the requirements of a suitably rigorous quality assurance scheme' remains and is reiterated for the two-year-old funding. I also hope that the Government will ensure local authorities can further develop networks to enable equality of opportunity for all childminders, because this leads to quality care and learning environments for children.
By offering more network places, local authorities would be offering a more supportive environment for childminders, raising outcomes for children and hopefully slowing the rapid decline in childminder numbers.
Name and address supplied
VALUE OF FREE PLAY
There is no doubt the balance between healthy play and eating offers children the opportunity to develop as nature intended. However, obesity and related health issues in children are a relativity new phenomenon, in 15-20 years. Two factors cause the greatest concern in finding workable solutions to the problem: the reduction in opportunities for children to regularly participate in energetic activity (unfortunately often referred to as exercise), and a decrease in dietary concerns for children, resulting in a greater intake of junk food.
Of the two points, there is a greater emphasis on the dietary issue than the demise of energetic activity in young children.
Within certain parameters, today's children enjoy similar foods to 15-20 years go. In fact, one could argue that food today is better prepared, better labelled and generally better than similar foods of a generation ago. The biggest difference is the demise in children's opportunity to instinctively use up their naturally high energy levels by participating in physical play. There can be no dispute that all young children exude exuberance while gross motor skills are being developed. They love to run, jump, twist and generally burn up energy levels during the most natural of child activities - energetic free play.
We believe that a child with a relatively poor diet who enjoys regular energetic play will develop better physically (and mentally) than a child with a good diet and limited opportunities to participate in regular energetic play.
Our studies at day nurseries clearly show that the vast majority are unable to provide adequate energetic play facilities. Most parents who look after their children before primary school have a fear of 'stranger danger' - no more playing outside without strict supervision. The substitute is more indoor play that, by its very nature, limits physical exertion. Physical education at KS1 and 2 is a small part of the curriculum. Unwittingly, adults almost encourage children to adopt a sedentary lifestyle.
A good diet is only part of the solution that will challenge the increase in obesity and related issues. Surely the most concern should involve allowing children to grow and develop as nature intended. This simply means allowing them the opportunities to do what they want to do instinctively - participate in regular, energetic free play with other children, unencumbered by adult intervention.
Roy Jennings, director, Healthy Fundamentals Send your letters to ... The Editor, Nursery World, 174 Hammersmith Road, London W6 7JP
letter.nw@haymarket.com; 020 8267 8402.