§ 31. Charlotte AtkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures the Government have taken to raise the status of those who work in early-years education since May 1997. [109162]
§ Ms HodgeThe Government are committed to raising the status of early-years workers and improving the quality of early education. We have listened to early-years practitioners who have said that early education should be recognised as a distinct phase of education. The Foundation Stage of the National Curriculum will be launched in September, with the new Early Learning Goals which most children should achieve at the end of the reception year. And we will be providing significant extra training and support to help deliver that.
A highly trained and qualified workforce is the key to attracting and retaining good people. Our aim is to introduce minimum levels of qualifications for leaders of early-years settings and for the practitioners that work in them. In October 1999, we introduced "A Framework of Nationally Accredited Qualifications in Early Years Education, Childcare and Playwork". The framework provides for the first time clear, comprehensive and integrated information about the skills, competencies, training and qualifications that are needed for the wide range of jobs in the sector. It will be updated this spring. We are developing occupational standards for the sector which will form the basis for further qualifications. This work is being led by the Early Years National Training Organisation, which was established in November 1998.
I believe the steps we are taking will provide people working in early-years education with a more clearly defined career structure and better recognition of the contribution they make to children's development.