| Foreword |
|
| In our earlier consultation paper on Education in Early Childhood: The Pre-School Years
and our Green Paper Meeting the
Childcare Challenge: A Childcare Strategy for Scotland we set out our intention to
consult further on regulation of early education and childcare. This consultation paper
fulfils that commitment. |
|
| We look together at childcare and pre-school
education recognising that one provider may integrate these activities in delivery. This
continues the approach established in the Guidance on the Planning of Pre-school
Education and Childcare and the Establishment of Childcare Partnerships issued to
local authorities and others in October 1998. Our aim is an improved and consistent system
of regulation. |
|
| In addition to examining the scope and nature
of regulation, this paper reflects proposals set out in our White Paper, Aiming for
Excellence: Modernising Social Work Services in Scotland. We intend to establish an
independent regulatory body, the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care. The
Commission will assume, from local authorities, responsibilities for carrying out
regulation of daycare. We believe this will have many benefits as the White Paper and this
consultation paper explain. |
|
| We hope that this consultation paper will be
widely read and responded to by local authorities, private and voluntary providers of
childcare and early education, and other organisations with an interest in childcare. For
all of us with an interest in early education and childcare, there can be nothing more
important than children's well-being and safety. |
|
| We particularly hope that parents and,
indeed, children will respond to issues of concern to them. Of course, some issues may be
easier for providers and regulators to comment on _ for example, space ratios for
accommodation. But others - such as the steps that may be taken to ensure the fitness of
nannies working in the parents' home, and whether care for older children should be
regulated- are of obvious concern to parents. We hope that the executive summary will
provide an introduction to these topics - but as they are complex we hope many will look
at the full text too. |
|
| The Government has a key role to play in
ensuring an effective framework for regulating childcare. Regulation aims to ensure that
childcare services meet suitable standards. But parents, with their unique knowledge of
their own children, have to determine what care is best for their own child. Looking after
children's safety and development through childcare must therefore be a shared
responsibility of Government, providers and parents. |
|
| This consultation paper sets out how the
Government might play its part and seeks views on this. It will, of course, be for
Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament to take forward. |
|
SAM GALBRAITH MP
Minister for Children's Issues |
|
Rt Hon HELEN LIDDELL MP
Minister for Education and for Women's Issues |
|
