Campaign demands strategy change

The Pre-school Learning Alliance has launched a two-year campaign to pressure the Government into rethinking its National Childcare Strategy.

The Charter for Parents and the Early Years was launched in London at the Alliance's annual conference last week. The charter, which is taking the form of a mass petition by parents, states, 'We call on the Government, local authorities, Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships, and all those who care about children to act now to secure:

l A childcare or nursery education place for every child who needs one

l Continuity of care for children to ensure that they form secure attachments and that they are not moving frequently from one setting to another

l Full consultation with parents in the planning of local nurseries or childcare centres, to ensure that provision is matched to family needs

l The formation of parent boards for all early years settings to give parents a voice in the development and management of provision; and

l Drop-in and advice services for parents, together with family and lifelong learning opportunities, developed as part of childcare settings.'

Referring to the first point of the charter, Margaret Lochrie, Alliance chief executive, said, 'A childcare or nursery education place for every child who needs one should mean just that. At present there is no provision for the children of unemployed people or for families who have split up.'

She added, 'The Government has made a large investment in early years provision but more needs to be done to match childcare to the needs of children and families, and to recognise the central role of parents in their children's education and as an influence on their behaviour.'

The Alliance also released the results of a survey it commisioned which showed 'overwhelming support' from families for major reform of the strategy. As many as 94 per cent of those responding said that nurseries and other early years providers should have a responsibility to invite parents to be involved with their children's care and education, while 86 per cent thought encouraging more parental involvement in their children's early education was one way to prevent anti-social behaviour.

Mrs Lochrie said, 'Unless a parental involvement culture in children's education is developed and extended, educational reforms may come to very little.' The charter is on the website www.pre-school.org.ukand requests for copies can be e-mailed to pla@pre-school.org.u