Through close observation, monitoring and evaluating practice, I am aware of the skills of my staff and I am able to support their practice to ensure quality care and education.
My concern is the quality of training that our future early years workers are undertaking at college. During four years at my nursery only five students out of 15 have actually fulfilled the criteria to meet the standards my staff and I expect.
I would be more than delighted to have input into the candidate selection process. Until every practitioner understands the extremely important role they play in children's development and learning we will continue to have people employed who should not have chosen this profession. It is our duty as heads or managers to ensure these individuals do not have the opportunity to work with children.
Anne Higgison, head of centre, Wishaw Nursery School, North Lanarkshire
