Childcare Workforce Development Project

In principle funding has been agreed by the London Development Agency (LDA), Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) for a project, to be overseen by London Councils, into how funding bodies and relevant agencies in London can improve the quality of the childcare workforce without impacting on childcare costs.  The project will consider the development of the childcare workforce in the context of the broader reform of the children's workforce as detailed in the Government's Children's Workforce Strategy: a strategy to build a world-class workforce for children and young people (April 2005).

According to the 2006 survey of childcare costs by the Daycare Trust, the highest childcare costs are found in London, with a nursery place for a child under two typically costing £197 a week in inner London .  Improved training for staff and increased pay are central to a highly qualified and motivated workforce that can deliver improved outcomes for children.  The key issue in London is how to provide good quality, affordable childcare in London without passing the costs onto parents.