Solving the quality/cost conundrum for London's childcare workforce

This research reveals how funding bodies and relevant agencies can improve the quality of the childcare workforce in London without passing on costs to parents or carers. 

Recommendations:

• establish a project to raise the profile of London's childcare sector. The project would be capable of influencing funders and training providers, and would provide a central, independent source of information, advice and guidance on workforce training and qualifications, and the accreditation of presently unaccredited training.
• training and funding streams are appropriate and accessible to the whole childcare workforce, including childminders and out-of-school providers, and that they support the move to increasing the number of Level 3 qualified entrants to the work place and to unit-based qualifications
• opportunities are identified to streamline and improve the effectiveness of training advice, capacity-building and business support mechanisms in London's childcare sector
• data on regeneration funding for childcare training is collated regionally and shared with relevant local authorities
• the childcare sector is promoted in material for regional employment campaigns such as Train to Gain
• sector-specific data collection systems are developed for all childcare training
• funding sources for training and other information relevant to the sector is added to the London Development Agency's London Childcare Portal
• a forum is convened to lobby for a range of measures to improve the affordability and sustainability of the childcare and early years sector in London
• a new campaign to promote childcare as a worthwhile career is launched in London
• childcare providers are encouraged to offer non-financial rewards such as flexibility, annual leave arrangements and professional development opportunities to their workforce.