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01 October 2005 - Our Childcare Bill press release

PRESS RELEASE
29th September 2005 no embargo

U-turn welcomed: childcare forward not back

Is the 6th outcome for children being unsafe in un-inspected, non-quality assured childcare after the age of 5 years?

“The Childcare Bill places a welcomed duty on local authorities to ensure a sufficiency of childcare and in contrast offers a disappointing range of compromises that aim to deregulate childcare for children aged over five years” says James Hempsall, Director, Hempsall Consultancies.

“If implemented, childcare providers are likely to experience the decline and devaluing of their roles all at a time when the sector is enthusiastically embracing the change coming from the Children Act 2004” he added.

“We welcome indications this week that the government is considering a dramatic u-turn on the proposals which would destroy the partnership between OfSTED, local authorities and early years and childcare providers that has worked together to continually improve and raise standards since 1998”.

Hempsall Consultancies believes that registered and inspected childcare provides quality care for children and supports them to reach their full potential. The quality of childcare is directly related to the quality of the children’s workforce. The success of the Every Child Matters agenda will come from an experienced, professional and empowered workforce – and for childcare that means childminders, pre-school workers, out of school workers and nursery staff all working with children aged over five years old. Many of these workers may be unregistered and un-inspected under the new arrangements.


We firmly believe that the sector wants regulation and the accountability to rigorous national standards and the stimulation provided by quality assurance schemes to achieve best practice in early years and childcare.

In responding to the Childcare Bill consultation, we are calling for:
· A reversal of all proposals that would result in a diminished regime of registration, inspection and quality assurance
· Clear guidance on the notion of sufficiency of childcare and a requirement for local authorities to continue to stimulate the creation of new and sustainable childcare places
· Stringent requirements for local authorities and children’s centres to work with, include and deliver services in partnership with the voluntary, independent and private sectors
· Maintain current registration and inspection regimes and level the playing field by requiring maintained provision to have the same ratios for children and staff
· Continue to support the delivery of quality assurance schemes to support providers in their continuous development
· Provide registration, inspection and criminal records bureau checks free to all childcare and early years providers

Notes to editors: About Hempsall Consultancies
Hempsall Consultancies works to provide equal chances, challenge discrimination and achieve best practice in services for children and families. Established in 1999, the organisation employs a team of trainers, researchers and consultants supporting local authorities to deliver the childcare strategy.

Full copies of our response are available by e-mail
Contact details
James Hempsall, Director
71 Narrow Lane, Aylestone, Leicester, LE2 8NA
Tel (0116) 233 7205
Fax (0116) 283 8016
jamesh@hempsallconsultancies.com

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