EDITORIAL 020 7501 + direct extension; news.nw@markallengroup.com Editor Karen Faux (6694) Deputy Editor Catherine Gaunt (6696) News Editor Katy Morton (6697) EYE Editor Elly Roberts (6384) Art Editor Alison Coombes All email addresses are firstname. lastname@markallengroup.com ADVERTISING 020 7501 + direct extension Publishing Director Tom Curtiss (6729) Associate Publisher George Hogg (6699) Business Development Manager Claudia Johnson (0203 874 9223) Recruitment Sales Manager Nawal Bekkale (6767) BUSINESS Managing Director Ravi Chandiramani Production Director Richard Hamshere Group Production Manager Kyri Apostolou Chief Executive Officer Ben Allen Chairman Mark Allen NURSERY WORLD is published by MA Education & Music Ltd, St Jude’s Church, Dulwich Road, Herne Hill, London, SE24 0PB. Registered at the Post Office as a newspaper. Printed by Pensord Press Ltd, Dowlais, CF48 3TD. Please read our privacy policy, by visiting http://privacypolicy. markallengroup.com. This will explain how we process, use and safeguard your data SUBSCRIPTIONS www.magsubscriptions.com 0800 137 201; UK Print and website subscription rates: Annual Credit/ debit card: £129; Direct debit £120; Quarterly Direct debit: £32.25; Monthly continuous Credit/debit card: £11.25 (inc P&P). For subscription enquiries: email subscriptions@ markallengroup.com ©MA Education & Music Ltd, 2024. All rights reserved. Unless otherwise negotiated by the contributor to the contrary, Nursery World purchases All Rights to contributions. No part of Nursery World may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission of the Publishing Director. Vol 121 No448578 ISSN 0029 64225
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E t r's i
RE-LIGHTING THE FIRE
The early years sector isn’t being listened to, so maybe it’s time to rekindle the fighting, campaigning spirit of previous decades
I woke up this morning to the news on the radio that the Government believes the one-word Ofsted judgements for schools in England has ‘significant benefits’ and should stay.
Meanwhile, the sector remains sceptical that the changes to Ofsted’s complaints procedure will make any real difference further along the line (online, 11 April). The phrase ‘banging your head against a brick wall’ comes to mind.
Whether being heard relates to the well-documented woes with Ofsted or the challenges of the Government’s expanded childcare programme, the sector is just not being listened to.
Take the latest report by the National Audit Offi ce; has this really told us anything we didn’t already know? (online, 24 April).
Among its arguments is that the Government’s timetable for the expanded offer is ‘ambitious’ and set amid ‘significant uncertainty around feasibility, costs and benefits’.
It also highlights issues with the planning and delivery of the programme, including the DfE’s failure to consult with the sector ahead of the roll-out. All these issues are underlined in our analysis on page 6,
which goes behind the Government’s latest headlines proclaiming the initiative’s success.
If ever it were needed, here is a true indictment of the way the sector is being swept along on a tide of policy that it has had scant opportunity to have a real say in. And it is worth remembering that in referring to ‘the sector’, this includes many more stakeholders than the big groups.
Perhaps there needs to be a return to the campaigning spirit of the 1970s and 1980s? It’s good to see veteran campaigner, author and academic Helen Penn publishing a new book, which returns to the argument of old: why does the UK continue to place such a low priority in investing in our next generation’s care and education?
Mark Child is an early years specialist and head of stakeholder engagement at end-point assessment organisation VTCT. On page 12 he argues that apprentices offer a solution to the recruitment crisis and create an inclusive environment that reflects the diverse communities providers serve.
In this issue
Sir Ed Davey is leader of the Liberal Democrat Party and MP for Kingston and Surbiton. On page 13 he explains his party’s plans for early education and childcare. He also outlines a priority to address SEND, with the creation of a national body that will ensure all children get the support they need.
Fallon West is a Level 3 apprentice at Spring RAF Benson nursery, run by Action for Children. In this month’s Student Spotlight (EYE supplement, page 43), she talks about the acquisition of key skills – including patience – and how she would like to go on to Level 5 and become a SENCO.
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May 2024 | NurseryWorld | 3
