Everyone likes to talk about how important the early years are, surveys and think tanks provide proof that it is essential. Yet there are very few tangible solutions for fixing the growing crisis of increased costs and lack of staffing in the childcare industry.
Whilst I am not a politician or an economist – I am an entrepreneur and business owner with many years experience at the coalface of UK childcare. And so, I believe that there are a number of viable solutions that will have far greater impact than a quick fix, headline grabbing £500 sign on bonus. We are not going to get free childcare, like in Europe, so we need to accept this, however there are collaborative ways to look at supporting the industry that warrant a discussion.
Five things I would do to kick off an overhaul
Tax Free childcare - just do it, make it tax deductible, work out how to do this cashflow-wise so it's not once a year. The government has shown readiness to fund other causes, so why is there such resistance to financially support a system that much of the economy relies upon?
'Life Pot' - introduce a life pot that provides tax-free and government top-ups for saving towards having a family. This would allow employees to plan for having a child and ensure that they have the financial resources to cover the cost of maternity leave and childcare. Other family members (parents and grandparents) could also contribute to the life pot as a gift to their children - all tax free and incentivised.
'Working bee' programme - for those who don't work, this programme would train them in childcare and contra the care their children receive in other nurseries. Private nurseries would pay staff at a lower rate than current agencies, and workers would be topped up on top of childcare costs. This programme would also provide training and upskilling opportunities for people who are out of work, and it could help solve the staffing crisis in the childcare sector, as well as supporting people getting back into the working world.
Overhaul Early Years training and bring it up to date. At present staff are underpaid and overworked. A complete overhaul of the early years sector is needed to bring it in line with the expectations of the modern parent and the needs of today's children. Make it an exciting, rewarding industry that prospective childcare workers want to be a part of. This starts with paying them properly - graduates should be starting on a minimum £28,000, to match the starting salaries of teachers.
Ofsted needs an overhaul. The inspection system is outdated. Instead of being respected, they are feared. The results are driven by bureaucracy and box ticking as opposed to proposing measures that better serve children and staff. An equivalent inspection body should be seen as supportive and collaborative not working 'against' nurseries and schools.
The entire sector needs to be examined, with the ambition to disrupt and challenge the old ways of working. The current system is falling far short of what our children deserve.
We need a fresh new vision for the future of childcare in this country driven by a team of innovative doers who can really give the industry a makeover. And crucially we need this soon, before it's too late.
Maggie Bolger is the founder of b_together, a nursery and family club in North London, with a site in Singapore. Previously she co-founded and was creative director at Maggie & Rose, a group of three nurseries in London.