Opinion: Letters

The draconian feel to the messages coming from Demos described in the article on 'tough love' (Analysis, 10 December) seems very misplaced. When are we going to stop seeing parents as the problem, and 'programmes of instruction' or 'treatments' for parents as the solution? It's as if workers, far from being challenged about how they are engaging parents and sustaining parental engagement, are being encouraged to sit comfortably 'othering' parents in the community through short-term, neatly prescribed contacts.

The evidence that we have from the local authorities we work with suggests that parents experience the so-called 'evidence-based' programmes as patronising. They are left feeling very 'done to'. Attrition on such programmes is high. Where there may be some short-term gains, the long-term benefits for parents and their children from these programmes is questionable.

The evidence used to justify large-scale investment in these programmes has usually been gathered in other countries. We need effective measures to evaluate outcomes for children and families in our local UK communities. The tools that are being developed for making judgements about parent and child interactions are taking us in the wrong direction. The diagnosis and treatment model is not appropriate for complex work with children and families.

We need to be listening to parents in our evaluations of 'what works', and working together to find responsive, flexible and mutually respectful ways of improving outcomes for children and families within our local communities.

Kate Hayward, assistant director, Pen Green Research Base, Corby, Northamptonshire

- Letter of the Week wins £30 worth of books

TIME TO CELEBRATE ACHIEVEMENT

Last term was a very, very good one for Chelsea Open Air. We inducted over 30 children who settled quickly and were soon at ease with our ethos, indoors and out. Then, when Ofsted returned after only two-and-a-half years, we were graded Outstanding in all areas for the third time. This was very significant when set against the background of the Early Years Single Funding Formula, which seemed set to devastate our budget. And for the second time we won the local competition to decorate the Christmas tree with our entry of 'Wooden It be Luverly!'

But when we struggled to get some local press coverage to celebrate our wonderful achievements, it struck me how it is only bad news, such as a negative Ofsted inspection, that makes headlines these days.

As we enter a new year with new joys and new challenges in a world that is constantly changing, let us try to be positive, give something back and celebrate that achievement. Then, the world our children are growing up in will be truly a better place regardless of what the headlines say! Wouldn't that be luverly?

Kathryn Solly, head teacher and head learner, Chelsea Open Air Nursery School and Children's Centre

DATA FOR EYSFF

I write in response to the article about the Early Years Single Funding Formula (News, 16 December), the flaws in the cost-analysis process and the poor response rate from PVI providers.

As a private provider, I was reluctant to pass my financial information to my local authority, which used a third party to collect the data. The authority believed that PVI providers would be more forthcoming with the information required if a third party was used. How wrong they were.

I wonder how many other local authorities used this method to evaluate costs? If private providers had been aware of the purpose of the data-gathering, I am certain it would have been more successful (not that the outcome would have affected the money available to the authority to create the EYSFF).

It is distressing to think how many hundreds of thousands of pounds have been wasted across the country on the EYSFF, when many in local government knew full well what would happen in early years education if funding were reduced.

Name and address supplied

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