'Don't close the door to new recruits'

Publication of the Nutbrown review of early years qualifications raises yet again the difficult tensions between providing childcare that is both affordable and accessible and of high quality.

There is no easy solution without government subsidy as high-quality childcare raises the costs of delivery.

Most experts agree with Professor Cathy Nutbrown that training should last at least two years and be at Level 3 (equivalent to A-level). All children deserve a good start, not least because, as research consistently shows, such children have a more fulfilled childhood and are more likely to find sustainable employment when older.

Research evidence is pretty conclusive on the questions of training, staff ratios and group size. A meta-analysis of international research, by the Thomas Coram Research Unit at the Institute of Education, showed how all three "have a direct impact on the ability of staff to provide sensitive, responsive care for children."

No subsequent research has emerged since that report in 2002 to contradict this, as the Nutbrown review shows. Indeed, the research underlines another point – that mothers who have raised their own children may have gained valuable experience, but no parent is perfect, without the benefits of training and theory behind successful childcare. A disturbing report by Elizabeth Truss MP recently recommended cost-cutting reforms that would take us down this road to less skills training. The fact is, only competency-based training can provide childcare staff with the necessary skills to raise other people’s children.  

However, this means costs rise and childcare is less accessible because some potential recruits will not commit time to training before they start to earn. Professor Nutbrown’s proposal – that all childcare trainees should have achieved Level 2 (GCSE) English and mathematics before they start training – will further reduce the number of recruits.

One suggested way of tackling this is to increase the number of children a professional childcarer may look after. It is argued that since school teachers are responsible for many more children, so should early years practitioners. I don’t accept this argument, nor is it backed by research evidence which shows how young children gain from the individual attention that only small groups allow.

Professor Nutbrown’s report raises another key issue. Young people are often guided into a childcare career because they fared poorly at school, yet like children. Advice and guidance in schools is weak and offers little alternative as a career. These young people choose childcare because it is readily understandable and most young people know a childcarer. Also, minimal entry qualifications at Levels 1 and 2 allow them to work in a supervised role.

Professor Nutbrown says the entry grade should be raised to Level 3. If so, what will these young people do? They are ill-prepared to embark on a Level 3 qualification and need stepping stones which will no longer be available were her proposals adopted. This applies equally to many adults who, having failed at school, rediscover a love of learning by starting on a Level 1 or childcare qualification. They gain self confidence and in many instances progress to university. Evidence of such success is trumpeted nationally every spring in Adult Learners’ Awards week. This entry level start not only strengthens childcare provision but is a proven springboard to other careers never previously dreamed of.  

Childcare qualifications open doors and expand horizons. They provide progression for young people and adults who have given up on education and training, and provide a route for them to sustainable purposeful employment. Professor Nutbrown’s proposals must therefore be carefully thought through so as not to close the door for these learners.

I have spent 40 years in childcare and education. When I started, Cinderella was just coming to the ball. People were beginning to realise what a difference good quality childcare made to children’s lives. Since then, researchers have shown that skilled childcare by professionals who know the theory behind their practice make a real difference to a child’s academic progress and to their social and emotional intelligence.

The challenge to the new Government childcare commission, set up by David Cameron in the wake of the Nutbrown report, will be to ensure that cutting costs does not take precedence over the urgent need to improve childcare. It is vital that this quality is not sacrificed in the interest of saving money and providing accessibility. It will be a time bomb ticking for the next generation.