Early years learning needs a sound foundation

New research by Oxford University concludes that clear developmental benefits for the poorest children require good quality provision which is not yet available for all 92,000 two year-olds taking up nursery places at the moment. Sandra Mathers, Kathy Sylva and Naomi Eisenstadt, from the University's Department of Education, conclude that current levels of quality may not be adequate to deliver an expansion of free nursery places as planned by the government. The government has announced that eligibility will extend from one-fifth to the poorest two-fifths of two-year-olds from September 2014. This will increase eligibility from 130,000 to 260,000 children a year. The Sound Foundations report, published by the Sutton Trust, argues for improvements to the qualifications and training of early years workers, and other changes to boost the language and social development of poorer children. The researchers estimate that more than 20,000 practitioners will need to complete additional qualifications to bring all childcare workers up to the standard required to provide good quality care (A-level equivalent). On current trends many of the early years workers needed to expand provision are likely to be childminders, who tend to be less well qualified than workers in nursery settings, says the report.