UNISON, the UK’s largest union, is today warning that government plans to increase the number of children that childminders and nurseries can look after could put children at risk.
Most good providers already do better than the minimum statutory ratios because they know it is the right thing to do for the young children in their care, said the union.
UNISON is deeply concerned that this measure will have a disastrous impact on the quality of childcare and early education, the safety of children and on childcare workers who will be stretched beyond reasonable limits.
A postcode lottery already exists, with poorer areas receiving lower standard care. Weakening the rules around ratios will only make this situation worse.
Ben Thomas, UNISON National Officer, said:
“When parents drop their child off at nursery they have the right to know that they will be as safe as possible. Cutting the number of people looking after children as they play and learn could make accidents and incidents like more likely.
“These plans have been almost unanimously rejected by the childcare sector. Childminders don’t want them because they know it is physically draining to look after six lively two year olds. Good employers don’t want them, because they can be undercut by cowboys and parents don’t want changes that will compromise the safety of their children.”
UNISON welcomes the recognition that there is a need for a better paid and qualified workforce, but there is a danger that the new roles could focus on education to the detriment of pastoral care.
Notes:
In just three months last year, three children tragically died in nurseries and there is currently no central register of incidents and accidents in nurseries.
ENDSUNISON, the UK’s largest union, is today warning that government plans to increase the number of children that childminders and nurseries can look after could put children at risk.
Most good providers already do better than the minimum statutory ratios because they know it is the right thing to do for the young children in their care, said the union.
UNISON is deeply concerned that this measure will have a disastrous impact on the quality of childcare and early education, the safety of children and on childcare workers who will be stretched beyond reasonable limits.
A postcode lottery already exists, with poorer areas receiving lower standard care. Weakening the rules around ratios will only make this situation worse.
Ben Thomas, UNISON National Officer, said:
“When parents drop their child off at nursery they have the right to know that they will be as safe as possible. Cutting the number of people looking after children as they play and learn could make accidents and incidents like more likely.
“These plans have been almost unanimously rejected by the childcare sector. Childminders don’t want them because they know it is physically draining to look after six lively two year olds. Good employers don’t want them, because they can be undercut by cowboys and parents don’t want changes that will compromise the safety of their children.”
UNISON welcomes the recognition that there is a need for a better paid and qualified workforce, but there is a danger that the new roles could focus on education to the detriment of pastoral care.
Notes:
In just three months last year, three children tragically died in nurseries and there is currently no central register of incidents and accidents in nurseries.
ENDS
