Early years reform
This week the Minister for Children and Families, Sarah Teather,
set out some of the reforms the Department for Education wants to
see in early years.
This will include making the provision of 15 hours of free
childcare for disadvantaged 2-year-olds by 2013 law and taking the
requirement for providing 40 hours of childcare from children's
centres in the most disadvantaged areas where demand is low.
Catherine Farrell, NCMA's Joint Chief
Executive responded to these announcements saying, "the
government’s intention to make the free entitlement to childcare
for 2-year-olds from the
most disadvantaged communities a statutory requirement is welcome
evidence of their commitment to delivering high-quality childcare
and early years education.
"Ensuring that families in disadvantaged areas
have access to a choice of high quality childcare options will
require all childcare providers, including registered childminders,
to work together in partnership. NCMA will continue to work with
local authorities to ensure that registered childminders are
available as a childcare option to all families, ensuring that each
family can access childcare that is best suited to their
needs."
You can read more about the announcements on the
Department for Education's website
Last updated:
11/18/2010