The Scottish Executive has set out a busy agenda for the early years sector in 2004, including the Integrated Early Years Strategy, assessment and testing for three- to 14-year-olds and a consultation on child health.
But while groups representing most areas of childcare welcomed the greater emphasis on childcare from both Holyrood and Westminster, they reiterated the demand for better pay and professional recognition.
Patricia McGinty, a director of the Scottish Independent Nurseries Association, said, 'The Government needs to intervene to find a way of helping pay nursery nurses the professional salary that they deserve. You cannot just leave it to market forces.'
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