Wishful thinking

This year saw the start of Labour's second term in office and yet more change for the early years sector, most significantly the transfer of care inspections to Ofsted.

Nurseries awaiting registration and inspection have reported chaos and delays -although most people in the sector are willing the organisation's eventual success.

The June election gave the Government the chance once more to set out its stalls for the early years - with some new money for training and expansion of Early Excellence centres, Sure Start schemes and Neighbourhood Nurseries. Early years partnerships will also get more money.

The past year has been a time of consolidation, with early years practitioners getting to grips with the demands of the Foundation Stage curriculum. For reception teachers this has involved an uncomfortable - and many would say impossible - juggling act between the play-based curriculum and the formal literacy and numeracy hours. A campaign for their removal from reception class teaching will continue next year.

Next year will be a time for assessing the extent to which the Government's myriad policies have achieved their objectives. A wide-ranging review of early years policies is under way and a review of the Foundation Stage is also planned. Changes on the cards include a national system for baseline assessment, a streamlined tax credit system, and more opportunities for schools to offer community services.

But the greatest shake-up will have to be in training - and, with a bit of luck, pay. A Sector Skills Council may replace the Early Years National Training Organisation, but we will have to wait and see if more Government money and decisive action will follow. Surely, it will have to. The early years sector is facing a growing recruitment and training crisis, schools are suffering the most acute teacher shortage for decades, and too many classroom assistants are doing jobs for which they are neither qualified nor paid - namely, teaching.

So, what are early years professionals hoping for in 2002? Here, some have their say.

Kay Stead

A supervisor at Eckington Under-Fives playgroup, Hereford and Worcestershire

I wish every child under five, whether in playgroup, nursery or independent school, had a fairy godparent who would use magic powers to protect their right to a play-based curriculum. Since fairies don't exist, perhaps a fully trained and experienced early years professional, properly paid and supported by managers who respect their unique skills, would do as well.

Carol Pochetty

Nursery manager, the Alan Pullinger Playgroup, London

I would really like to see the Government stick to its plans for free places for all three-year-olds. It has been distressing for some parents because they have ended up having to pay because of where they live and how much they earn. Children need this vital provision to equip them better for the future.

Ashoob Cook

Managing director, Happy Child nursery chain, London

We had a number of issues with Ofsted over the past few months but things are definitely starting to take shape now. I think applications are being dealt with more seriously for new sites. More commitment is being shown. I hope this continues in 2002.

June O'Sullivan

Operations and training manager, Westminster Children's Society

I would like to see less prejudice in nurseries about taking children with special needs, nursery nurses to be added to the Government targets for essential workers, and more Sure Start areas with less emphasis on geographical boundaries, to list a few. I also think that it might be better if the qualification awarding bodies were a national body rather than competing businesses.

Sue Stooks

Nursery manager, Penn Hill Day Nursery, Dorset

Less administration! Sometimes I spend all day in the office reading about the latest changes and filling in forms that have to be in sooner rather than later. I would much rather spend it being with the children.

Dr Christine Stephen

Institute of Education, University of Stirling, Scotland

I would like to see a clear focus on the experience of the child in our research, in discussions about practice and in evaluations of provision. My role as a researcher allows me the luxury of time to observe in playrooms and, along with conversations with children, that has convinced me we need to work harder at representing children's perspectives. Good-quality provision is sometimes seen as a matter of getting it right or following guidelines, but we also need to ask questions about the experiences of children.

Theresa Ogden

Nursery manager, Tigger's Day Nursery, Westonbirt, Glos.

In 2002 we are planning to expand our setting so more places are available for children. Our senior members of staff will also be completing their NVQ 4 to continue to provide a high level of childcare and partnership with parents. But we would like to see more money available for trainees.

Martina Murphy

Operations manager, Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Ireland

I hope that as adults we will create environments where children can learn to appreciate differences and facilitate them through uncertainty and trauma. The first review of the pre-school services regulation will come out next year and I anticipate that it will be an inclusive consultative process leading towards the enhancement of the quality of childcare.

Marian Whitehead

Language and early years consultant

I see the New Year as an opportunity for a determined campaign to remove the literacy and numeracy hours from the Foundation Stage. The reception year should be the culmination of a developmentally-appropriate curriculum and offer hands-on, meaningful, play-based learning. I also wish that people would stop seeing the early years as a mere preparation for the National Curriculum.

Nicky Pope

Nanny, Cambridgeshire

The first thing that comes to mind is the nanny register. Although many people I have spoken to are against it, I am very much for it. I would also like to go self-employed, but it would be difficult because the Government does not recognise that status for nannies. At the moment I am temping so I can't always make regular national insurance contributions and that limits my options. I'd like to see this change.

Maureen Aylwood

Pre-school room supervisor, Kinder Day Nursery, Gravesend

I would like to see more hands-on work and fewer worksheets, because it's better that children learn through their own experience. The Foundation Stage and stepping stones are wonderful. I also feel that some children are not ready to go to school at the age of four but they have no other choice because some schools only have one time of entry.

Nick Waller

Training officer for Powys County Council and manager of the Machynlleth Community Nursery

I would like to see the new funding for Wales making its way into the rural areas, because the needs of the people are no less than those in urban areas.

Collette Drifte

Special needs consultant

My wish list is that as the year begins, the new Special Needs Code of Practice will be implemented without tears or fears. And as the year ends, all early years practitioners who had looked at the new Code with trepidation will be happy about the work they're doing with special needs children.

Judith Stevens

Early years adviser, Lewisham

I feel that all early years professionals should be valued for their expertise and experience as well as their qualifications. They need to be suitably remunerated for the highly responsible posts they hold and to attend high quality, funded professional training.

Penny Tassoni

Education consultant, trainer and author

I'd like to see the Government have a change of heart over the issue of childminders being allowed to smack children in their care. Not only should we be protecting children from violence; the Government should be aiming to raise the professional status of childminders.

Alan Ford

Nursery nurse, Hatton Hill Day Nursery, Hants

I would like to see more men in childcare. It is sad that they are missing out on a fulfilling role because some people see childcare as a woman's job. When I was training the course team were very supportive. Had they not been I may have dropped out. I have known of other male students put off working in childcare by course tutors.

Carole Edmund

Head of BUPA Childcare, which owns Teddies Nurseries

I would like to see more people choosing childcare as a career, supported by more investment in training. There should be clearer information for parents, both on choosing a good nursery and on how to access funding. NW I also think VAT should be recoverable for nursery operators.