Blog: Plea to the Minister of Education for continued support
On the 26th May 2020, David Goodger, CEO of Early Years Wales wrote the following blog. A plea to the minister of education for continued support for the sector and more collaboration in thinking between Ministerial Departments in Welsh Government.
Early Years Wales, and our partner Umbrella Organisations in Cwlwm have been working with our memberships in the early years, childcare and playwork sector to provide support during the current pandemic. This has been unprecedented times and, as such, has presented numerous challenges for everyone. We recognise that Welsh Government has endeavoured to provide support and to maintain the safety of the population in Wales throughout the crisis. I write this blog, ahead of the second phase of the planned ‘Unlocking our Society and Economy’ next steps in Wales.
Firstly, it is important to recognise the vulnerabilities of the childcare sector. There are unresolved funding issues that are causing tensions for the sector and I know partners will articulate these issues in related blogs. There are a few additional points I wanted to articulate for consideration which I feel should be recognised by decision makers in the coming days.
While the moves towards ‘unlocking’ Wales are commencing, it is timely to remind everyone that the childcare sector has undertaken invaluable work in these challenging times. Numerous settings have remained open providing childcare to critical worker families. In some circumstances, this has included welcoming children to unfamiliar settings, providing continuity to these children and facilitating the National response by allowing the parents to undertake their vital roles. In all cases, this has included supporting young children and providing their parents with the emotional support to allow the children to be happy and the parents, reassured that their children are safe. The staff working in these settings deserve the recognition of us all and a commitment to continue supporting them into the phased unlocking and beyond.
In light of the financial impacts, and the sense of parental anxiety in the phased unlocking, I feel it is important to note that when settings that have closed due to the pandemic reopen they do so in very different circumstances. As a result, financial models that were in place in February are simply not viable. Although there is some adjustment to the National Minimum Standards (NMS), in early years there has been minimal changes to the staff-child ratios, rightly so, but this does not enable settings to alter their staffing substantially to reduce costs. Likewise, for the safety of all, some cleaning, sanitation, and hygiene costs will be elevated when settings reopen. I feel some acknowledgment of this impact and sustainability funding will inevitably be required to prevent settings from having to permanently close their service; these services simply cannot operate whilst absorbing running cost losses as their reserves are not robust enough to do this.
I am encouraged that the ‘unlocking’ phase already appears to have more thought to the interconnectedness of the early years, childcare and playwork sector and the maintained education sector than the closure did. Without the early years childcare and playwork sector, the maintained education sector would struggle to operate; many teachers would be unavailable to teach and many school ancillary staff unavailable for their important student and administrative work. Furthermore, a significant number of early years, childcare and playwork settings share campus space with schools, therefore decisions affecting one influence the other. Despite ‘belonging’ to different Ministerial portfolios, it is vital that cross sector consideration is given to every decision.
The coming months will be challenging to all sectors, but those working with children and their families are at the forefront of this challenge. I know our childcare sector will rise to this challenge, work admirably and tirelessly to provide the best of care, education, and experience for all the children, and families they serve. My request is, that decision makers and financial supporters recognise and value this sector, giving them the policies, practical support, fiscal support, and recognition that they deserve.