Nursery World - In a spin

The early years sector is without an official body to oversee the training of its workforce, and confusion reigns over what it will now take to get one and who should run it. Alison Mercer investigates This is a crucial time for the development of the early years workforce. The Government's National Childcare Strategy seeks a massive expansion in childcare places, but if quality is to improve as well as quantity, the sector needs more qualified staff. Yet at this critical point, the organisation responsible for overseeing the development of the workforce across the United Kingdom, the Early Years National Training Organisation (EYNTO), has been summarily disbanded and it is far from clear what, if anything, is to take its place.

This is a crucial time for the development of the early years workforce. The Government's National Childcare Strategy seeks a massive expansion in childcare places, but if quality is to improve as well as quantity, the sector needs more qualified staff. Yet at this critical point, the organisation responsible for overseeing the development of the workforce across the United Kingdom, the Early Years National Training Organisation (EYNTO), has been summarily disbanded and it is far from clear what, if anything, is to take its place.

The Department for Education and Skills abolished all 73 NTOs at the end of March and will replace them with a smaller number of larger, more effective, better-funded Sector Skills Councils (SSCs). The Council for Awards in Childcare and Education (CACHE), which was a parent body to the EYNTO, put in a bid for SSC trailblazer status. But this was rejected in December 2001 -unsurprisingly, perhaps, given that SSCs are meant to be employer-led and CACHE is an awarding body.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included