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Majority against higher qualified staff having to care for more children

Eight in ten nurseries are against Government proposals to allow highly qualified staff in nurseries to look after more children, a survey by the National Day Nurseries Association suggests.

The finding comes from a snapshot survey carried out by the NDNA on its website, just after the 'More Great Childcare' document was published and is based on 141 responses.

Eighty per cent of respondents said they 'strongly disagreed' in response to the question asking if they agreed that the number of children to each nursery staff member should be increased if staff have higher qualifications.

When asked whether working to new ratios would mean that nurseries could change their fees to parents, 72 per cent said that there would be no impact on fees.

A wider online survey is still open on the NDNA website until 15 March and the findings will feed into the NDNA's response to the Government consultation.

NDNA members will also get the chance to put questions directly to the minister who will be attending a consultation event organised by the NDNA, which will be held in London on 4 March. A second event will be held in Bolton on 12 March.

NDNA chief executive Purnima Tanuku said, 'It is important that as a sector we take the time to reflect on the proposals in 'More Great Childcare'. Changes to adult:child ratios have been hitting the headlines and both parents and many in the early years sector have voiced opposition to the proposed changes. While the issue of ratios is very important it is vital that we also consider the full report, which includes proposals to introduce Early Years Teachers and Early Years Educators, change Ofsted regulation, introduce childminder agencies and encourage schools to offer places to under-threes.

'We will be using results from the member consultation events and online survey to respond to the DfE consultation, 'Early education and staff deployment', and to advise and inform the Government on the full range of issues brought up by the proposals.

'We are pleased that Elizabeth Truss MP is attending our consultation event in London, as it will offer the opportunity for her to hear the opinion of those working on the frontline.

'"More Great Childcare" represents a time of change for early years. As a sector we must make our views heard, whether this is through meeting with MPs, responding to surveys or petitions or engaging with the media.'

You can respond to NDNA's More Great Childcare Survey at: www.ndna.org.uk/childcaresurvey.

  • The consultation events are for NDNA members only. The London event is on Monday 4 March 2013 at the Institute for Education, and the Bolton event on Tuesday 12 March 2013 at De Vere Whites at the Reebok Stadium. As of today's date places are still available at both events.

Further information about both events can be found at www.ndna.org.uk/consultation-event.