We must not be divided
Michael Pettavel head teacher, Brougham Street Childcare and Nursery School, Skipton. All views most definitely my own
Monday, February 1, 2021
The early years sector needs to stick together to fight for its rights, says our columnist Michael Pettavel
I found this column quite difficult to write this month. I have felt so angry about so many of the Government’s decisions that it has (almost) left me speechless. The complimentary soundbites from a wholly inept education secretary are utterly meaningless in the face of what is being required of a community workforce that is seen as expendable.
What has stood out is how differently schools are being treated and the divisions the Government seeks to exaggerate within the early years sector. This is classic ‘elitist’ governance – ‘divide and rule’.
In early January, the teaching unions presented a united front, and I believe this had much to do with the shortest school term in history. So, why hasn’t the same happened in early years?
One of the issues is that many settings are in the PVI sector. Settings are generally smaller, and without state support the basic business principles of supply and demand are essential. This puts us in a very different position from schools with a national funding formula and the ‘Burgundy Book’ which details the national terms and conditions for all teachers.
The early years workforce does not particularly want to threaten the sanction of a walkout. The result is fragmentation and limited bargaining power. We also happen to care deeply about children and their families. This is wonderful for a Government who seek to dominate.
If the transmissibility and infection rate really are so low for nurseries, why has the information not been made public? Is it because the Government does not feel it has to justify itself to the likes of us, or perhaps it is because they know that when the loaded gun of withdrawing funding is held to the heads of managers and owners, there is little choice but to capitulate?
The organisations that support the early years have done a good job of voicing our outrage, but rational argument is simply not enough.
My resentment for a Government who claim to hold our best interests to heart, yet so insidiously refuse to protect us, will not be forgotten. My lesson: we need to work together more than ever. We need to work towards a national agreement of terms and conditions and, above all, we must support each other by refusing to allow division.
