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Early April has seen a flurry of new documents and initiatives relating to childrens services in England.
1. Choice for parents, the best start for children - making it happen - 10 year strategy (England)
This document higlights the Governments next steop in implementing the 10 year strategy (launched at the end of 2004) It includes:
- Extending the weekly free entitlement of 12.5 hours early education and childcare for 3 and 4 year olds from 33 weeks of the year to 38 weeks.
- From 2007 teasting ways for paretns to use their increased entitlement of 15 hours a week more flexibly. By 2010, all 3 and 4 years olds will be entitled to 15 hours free provision rather than the current 12.5 hours.
- From September this year 2,500 schools will be providing morning and early evening access to childcare and a range of extended activities for children, young people, their families and local communities.
- Pilots of free provision for two-year-olds in a number of local authoriites.
These obviously have an impact on the workforce and the documents includes a number of areas of concern. These include proposals to water down staff and children ratios for older children in childcare settings and continues to encourage Local Authorities to outsource new childrens services. UNISON will be meeting with Minister for Children, Beverley Hughes to discuss our concerns.
2.Next Steps for Integrated Qualification Framework
The Childrens Workforce development Council (CWDC has published a plan in partnership with the Childrens Workforce Network (CWN) detailing how the Integrated Qualifications Framework (IQF) will be delivered. The aim of the IQF is to help the children and young peoples sector offer real career pathways and attract and retain individuals. designed to create mobility across the children and young peoples workforce, IQF will bring together and milestones in the development of IQF, is a result of close partnership working between the CWN and its members and the CWDC. Copies can be obtained from www.cwdcouncil.org.uk
3. Early Years Professional Draft Standards Published - CWDC Asks for Feedback
The CWDC has also published draft standards for Early Years Professional status (EYP). The draft standards set out the proposed skills, knowledge and competenicies necessary to gain EYP status. In its Childrens Workforce status in every Childrens Centre by 2010 and in every daycare setting by 2015. CWDC is leading the work on developing the standards in conjuction with the Training and Development Agency for Schools and other key partners. A prospectus will be published in June detailing qualifications, training and assessment programme based on the standards in September 2006. CWDC is proposing that EYP status will be supported by a set of national standards at graduate level (level 6) that covers work with children from birth to the end of the Foundation Stage. The organisation also believes that over time only those with EYP status should lead the delivery of the settings across the maintained, private and independent sectors. This consultation gives the opportunity for feedback on the professional characteristics and knowledge CWDC outlines as essential for individuals wishing to be awarded EYP status.
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