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CHAPTER 3: RESPONDENTS' VIEWS ON THE CONSULTATION PROCESS
Several respondents from a range of different respondent categories commented on the consultation document itself and/or the consultation process. Many respondents welcomed the Review with typical comments including:
" We welcome the review's aspiration to spark clear and purposeful action that will strengthen this workforce" (Rep)
"… welcome the review as a much needed examination of the issues facing the early childhood and childcare sector workforce in the twenty-first century" ( LA)
" The review commendably supports integrated working with other professions and the establishment of partnerships" ( TP)
Where criticism of the consultation arose, this tended to focus on the decision by the Scottish Executive not to include the teaching workforce in the Review. Teachers working in early years settings were not part of the Review as the teaching workforce had only recently been subject to a major review. Teachers and teachers' representative bodies were, of course, free to respond to the consultation should they wish to do so. Whilst many respondents acknowledged the rationale for the decision to not to include teachers in the Review, some did not agree with it. Comments included:
" From the outset, we must make clear our concern that the teaching profession, which is an integral part of the early years' sector, has been marginalised" (Rep)
" We feel that the decision not to include teachers working in early years settings was a mistake, and will, in future negotiations, hinder, not help to take the review's vision forward" (Rep)
Two respondents suggested that not including teachers in the Review may give out the wrong message that teachers are not part of the vision for early years ( CP, LA).
Another common view was that the Review should have included a consideration of pay and conditions as part of its remit. As will emerge in later chapters, many respondents felt that a consideration of roles, responsibilities and increased qualifications could not be complete without also considering issues of pay and conditions. Connected to this were questions raised by several consultees over the future funding arrangements needed to support the plans. For example, it was argued that the vision was ambitious and lack of adequate funding could act as a barrier to development and growth.
One consultee suggested that a detailed appraisal of related best practice across European countries should have accompanied the Review ( LA).
A very small minority of respondents commented that in their view, the Review's steering and working groups had not been representative of the early years and childcare workforce. Two consultees considered that the groups had been " top heavy" with management and union representatives ( TP, LA). Another complained that playgroups were not represented on any group involved in the compilation of the Review report ( CProv).
Three of the fifty-eight childminders who responded to the consultation expressed their concern that they had come across the consultation by chance rather than having been sent a copy directly. One commented that not all childminders are registered with the SCMA which had publicised the consultation to its members. (Although legally, all childminders should be registered with the Care Commission which publicised the consultation on its website.)
Very few critical remarks emerged from participants at the workshop events. Amongst the two hundred and ten participants, one participant considered that the discussion questions tabled had been too narrow in focus. Another was concerned that there were no representatives from voluntary management committees as their workshop. Finally, one view was that the timescale for the consultation (August 2006 - December 2006) might be too short to enable views to be sought from across the sector (although the consultation did adhere to the standard period of four months for Scottish Executive consultations).
The following seven chapters document the substance of the analysis, presenting the main issues, arguments and recommendations contained in the responses. The chapters follow the ordering of issues raised in the consultation documents.
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