§ Lord Northbourneasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether there is a need for a substantial programme of training for teachers and other staff who are or will be working in pre-schools, nursery education and reception classes which accept four year olds; and, if so, what plans they have for the timing, delivery and funding of such a programme of training. [HL2621]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)Her Majesty's Government are already giving priority to training for early years staff. All Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships have had to set out in their Early Years Development and Childcare Plans strategies for training and development, including targets for improving the number of qualified staff in their area. To support these strategies we have earmarked £12 million in 1999–2000 through the Early Years Training and Development Standards Fund for early education, and £7 million for Training and Enterprise Councils to spend on childcare workforce training.
The present unco-ordinated array of qualifications is confusing for employers and employees. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority hopes shortly to publish a new "climbing frame" of qualifications and training for early education, childcare and playwork which will clarify what is available and encourage progression.
Last year the Government set in place new national standards for initial teacher training, including courses for the 3–8 and 3–11 age ranges.