The Charity said that the 200,000 strong day nursery workforce and the 14,000 employers in the sector are questioning how they were being represented on the expert panel in such a crucial review that impacts their workforce.
Purnima Tanuku OBE, Chief Executive of NDNA, said: “NDNA is keen that the review is a success and it is essential that it is genuinely reflective of all parts of the sector, with everyone feeling they have a stake in the debate.
“Nursery members have expressed concern to us that they cannot clearly see how they will be represented on the panel and while we are not criticising those on the panel in any way, we do question why this omission has been made when the majority of the workforce in the sector are employed in day nurseries. This does not send a positive message to the sector in terms of the contribution they make in supporting children and families.
"In respect of this omission, NDNA will be working very hard to ensure the sector’s voice is heard loud and clear. We will be surveying our members, discussing issues with our national policy committee and at our programme of member events and doing all we can to support our members and member networks to get involved.
“The future of the workforce is fundamental to a diverse mix of high quality, sustainable early years provision and it is vital that the review draws on the expertise and experience of all parts of the sector, ensuring that the private sector is not overlooked.”
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Notes to editors:
• The Nutbrown review will look in particular at five themes: content of qualifications and training courses, coherence and inclusivity, creating clear career pathways, standards, and the status of the workforce.
• The Laing and Buisson survey of Children’s nurseries said there are an estimated 207,710 staff employed in 14,670 day care nurseries in the UK, as at March 2011.
• National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) is a national charity representing children’s day nurseries across the UK, giving them information, training and support, so they can provide the best possible care to young children. NDNA is the voice of the sector, an integral part of the lives of nearly one million children and their families.
• For more information please contact Lindsay Garfitt, Senior PR and Policy Officer, on 01484 40 70 66 or Lindsay.Garfitt@
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National Day Nurseries Association is a national charity representing children’s nurseries across the UK, giving them information, training and support, so they can provide the best possible care to young children.
