Report points way to improving capital’s childcare workforce

An independent report released today sets out recommendations to improve London's childcare workforce so that it can better support families out of poverty. 

'Solving the quality/cost conundrum for London's childcare workforce' was commissioned by the London Childcare Workforce Project - comprising London Councils, the London Development Agency, the Learning and Skills Council London, and the Children's Workforce Development Council.

London Councils executive member for Children and Young People, Councillor James Kempton, said:

"The prohibitive cost of childcare is a major barrier to work for many families in the capital. Affordable and accessible childcare enables parents to get into work and out of poverty. The sector also provides excellent employment opportunities for those wishing to work with children. 

"But it is also essential that the childcare is of an excellent standard.  And the best way to ensure good quality childcare is through a good quality workforce - not just those at the sharp end, but also those who plan or manage services. It is vital that we develop the skills of childcare workers without adding to the already high costs parents and carers are paying. This report makes some very ambitious recommendations, and we will be examining them with great interest." 

The prohibitive cost of childcare is a major obstacle to work for many families in the capital. But through the provision of affordable and accessible childcare, families can be supported into work and out of poverty.

The government's aim is to have every childcare worker qualified to at least level three of a relevant qualification, with a qualified professional in every early years setting by 2015.  But while qualification levels are improving, over 30 per cent of childcare workers are still not qualified to level three. 

Recruitment is a further concern. One London borough has estimated that 400 new childcare workers are needed to meet increased demand for childcare places.

However the sector is characterised by poor levels of pay, and increasing recruitment depends on it providing the opportunity for a fulfilling and adequately paid career that offers excellent development opportunities.  This is a significant challenge as the sector is currently saddled with a complex and convoluted funding system.

Firstcare Consultancy was commissioned to consider the existing funding, training and development for London's childcare workforce, and then make recommendations to improve it - without passing on costs to parents and carers.

The report recommends a number of measures to meet these challenges, including:

• ensuring training and funding streams are both targeted and accessible to the whole childcare workforce and that they support the move to increasing the number of higher-level qualified entrants
  
  
• identifying opportunities to streamline and improve the effectiveness of training advice, capacity-building and business support mechanisms in London's childcare sector
  
  
• promoting the childcare sector material for regional employment campaigns such as Train to Gain
  
  
• establishing a project to raise the profile of London's childcare sector. It would be capable of influencing funders and training providers, and provide a central, independent source of information on training and qualifications
  
  
• ensuring data on regeneration funding for childcare training is collated regionally and shared with relevant local authorities
  
  
• setting up a London childcare affordability forum that could lobby for a range of measures to improve the financial viability of the childcare sector in London.  Ideas to be considered by the Forum could include the development of a childcare 'credit card' designed to carry public subsidy of childcare for low paid workers.

Notes to editors

'Solving the quality/cost conundrum for London's childcare workforce' will be launched at 10am on Wednesday 2 May 2007 at 1 Birdcage Walk, London, SW1H 9JJ. To attend the event, please contact the London Councils press office.

Child poverty is a major issue in London. Good quality and affordable childcare is considered to be one of the best ways to help lift children out of poverty, as it provides greater work opportunities for parents. Fifty two per cent of children in inner London live in income poverty, while a quarter of all children in London live in workless households - compared with 16 per cent nationally.

The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) aims to improve the lives of children and young people. It does this by ensuring that the people working with children have the best possible training, qualifications, support and advice. CWDC is one of five bodies forming the UK Skills For Care and Development, Sector Skills Council and coordinates the Children's Workforce Network.

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) aims to improve the skills of England's young people and adults to make sure we have a workforce that is of world-class standards.

The London Development Agency (LDA) is leading the delivery of the Mayor of London's childcare Strategy.

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