Let it be said that our interview with Margaret Mason in this issue (page 13) is an absolute gem. While Margaret sold her nursery group Children 1st to Storal last year, she has retained one nursery and now runs a charity alongside it. It's great to catch up with her at this point in her long career.
Many years ago I remember attending a Children 1st staff conference and awards in Derbyshire. It was an inspiring day and a jubilant evening. What really came across was how collaborative the different teams were and how they all showed a love of working for Children 1st. It truly felt like a family – and clearly everyone loved Margaret!
There was a particularly moving testimony from one member of staff who had been supported to overcome very difficult personal circumstances and went on to thrive in her role within the group.
In her interview, it is very interesting what Margaret says about the early days of the NDNA when she was its chairperson. She remembers how such an important part of its work all those years ago was to build trust in the private sector and demonstrate to local authorities that it had an important part to play.
Thinking about this, and how far so many small and large operators have come to demonstrate their commitment to young children and the importance of their role, it seems especially sad to see the sector locked in combat with the Government over its tightening of guidance around charging for extras (see Analysis, page 6).
The lack of consultation and dialogue around this says a lot about how the PVI sector is misunderstood and taken for granted by Government. An initiative designed to support children and families now looks as if its primary result will be to shut nurseries down.
Government, local authorities, providers and families all find themselves pitched against each other. How has it come this?
