The research is clear:
High quality graduate-led early education and care provision leads to better outcomes for children.
Sadly this message seems not to resonate with the media. Working mothers (not parents, note) “causing” their children’s health problems – that’s a news story. Mothers job-sharing and childcare-sharing (or should this be called parenting-sharing?) and being reported by a neighbour so Ofsted get involved – that’s a news story too.
High quality care and education requires money, commitment and a professional workforce – so far that hasn’t really been a news story.
Why not? Well maybe it’s a bit too analytical, a bit too measured, not enough “blame” opportunities (could it be that the stories above benefit from two all-too-common targets for blame, mothers and public services?).
Despite this, though, we need to fight back. We need to take and shake up the news agenda. In some ways after all it is a simple message: quality counts, and quality means a properly respected, properly paid, highly trained and educated workforce.
We owe it to every parent to make sure they know this. We owe it to our children to ensure society as a whole know this.
Parents – and good parenting – maketh the child. Alongside that, experience of high quality early education and care gives that child the best possible chance as they grow and develop.
So let’s go out and shout it from the rooftop …
Every parent wants the very best for their children. The future of society also means we need the very best for our children.
Quality matters. And the biggest driver of quality are the best people. So above all quality staff matter.
So what can you do?
- If you are an EYP, or a manager with an EYP in your setting: shout about it loud and clear.
- If you are a parent: does your child attend a setting with an Early Years Professional (EYP) leading excellent practice?
- If you are in a Local Authority: are you sure all your parents know why they need an EYP in their setting?
Whoever you are: shout it loud and clear …
Children deserve the best. Especially in their very earliest years. Children deserve EYPs.
What have you done today to get the message out there?
Tags: EYPs, Quality Matters
