Live webchat about childcare reform with Liz Truss, Education & Childcare Minister, Thursday 7 February, 1pm

[JustineMumsnet]

Hello hello,

We'll be welcoming the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Education and Childcare - Elizabeth Truss MP - for a webchat on Thursday Feb 7th (tomorrow) 1pm - 2pm.

As the Member of Parliament for South West Norfolk, Elizabeth Truss lives in Downham Market with her husband and two daughters. She was brought up in Yorkshire and, before entering Parliament, worked as the Deputy Director at the think-tank Reform. She also worked in the energy and telecommunications industry for 10 years and is a qualified management accountant.

Elizabeth recently wrote a Mumsnet guest blog on the Government's plans for childcare reform, which generated this recent thread - and childcare expert Penelope Leach responded to the proposals here.

Do post your question in advance on this thread, or join us live on Thursday 1pm-2pm.

And, as ever, a gentle reminder to all to stick to our webchat guidelines.

Many thanks.

Very frustrating. All this talk about structured play etc for 3-4 year olds is all very well but totally irelevant to the issue of ratios for under 3's, which I think is the crux of the argument here. Too much talk about what they do in France and at preschool and not enough by way of proper argument to illustrate WHY better educated staff will be able to demand a higher salary in this economic climate and WHY nurseries won't simply pocket the extra cash the change in ratios will generate without passing it on to either their staff or the parents. Nurseries are businesses you know, not charitable organisations.

Plus I don't know of any family which has 4 children under 18 months, which is apparently quite common

Thanks for answering!

Could you clarify this please:

"We are looking at funding, first of all how we can make sure that the £5bn the Government's spending at the moment is going to the frontline to make sure there is high qualify, available childcare. Secondly, we are working on new support for working parents to help with their childcare costs."

Is there new money coming into childcare, or are you just futzing about trying to make it cheaper by having fewer people on the job?

This has been a very helpful discussion from my point of view. I want to take time to read all the posts in my own time. I will listen to feedback and I hope to speak to more parents and people working in childcare over the next few months. The changes that we're looking at are not things that are gong to happen overnight. This is about setting us on a trajectory where early years is viewed as an integral and highly valued part of our education system. I will definitely come back because I love the sandwiches and the crisps. And the Mumsnetters of course!

Best,

Liz

Well that was an impeccable display of politician at work. Were any of the questions answered properly?

I can't believe MNHQ gave her crisps. Traitors.

I have a horrible feeling that we now count as people 'consulted' by Ms Truss, despite the fact she seemed to have her fingers in her ears throughout.

I do not believe that the NCMA have told Ms Truss that they are in favour of these reforms and I think that her stating them in her response to who was consulted was in done in such a way as to make her consultation seem adequate whilst not stating if they supported her views.

I hope that NCMA members will not be hoodwinked by the ministers response as the NCMA are actively supportive of the petitions and am sure did not agree with the proposals

Ms Truss - you didn't answer a single question here with facts. I am embarrassed that a government minister could not even give an accurate figure on the numbers of people consulted for these proposals.

It is also extremely unhelpful to say that it is "up to you" if you use childcare under this new more flexible system of rules. It is hardly much of a choice if you have a full-time job and your childcare provider changes its ratios and you cannot prevent this from happening.

It's the equivalent of saying "well, I'm doing you a favour but even though it's actually negative for you, it's your choice to use this service so that's not my problem".

Wouldn't it be lovely if the members of this 'helpful discussion' were invited to a focus group to discover how to amend these proposals to something which better provides for children and professionals rather than the half baked ideas they have already...

Hello you said

Essentially, the agencies will be able to receive various streams of funding like the 3 and 4 year old offer, and funding from parents. They're a different way of childminders operating but these agencies are independent of Government.

Surely this is no different then the LA receiveing the funding and it still not reaching the 'frontline'

And if the parents have to fund the agency there will be a higher cost involved then now?

Thank you Ms Truss

" I will listen to feedback and I hope to speak to more parents and people working in childcare over the next few months. "

How are you selecting them? I am available.

Do get in touch with me (mumsnet will give you my email)

I would really love for you to spend a day in my setting, really

The children love visitors and I'm sure it would make a good photo op for you - do come, my setting is really lovely

I wish one day someone will come up with 'Mii' style virtual demonstrations online so we could get a visual sense of the amount of people that this government is dissapointing. Not listening to the public will be top on the list.

Second wish is that there should be a 'like' button on here as there were many posters that I agreed with but no way to show this.

What a waste of time.

Ewww

ms Truss, im confused.........you have worked in the energy and telecommunications industry for 10 years and are a qualified management accountant.

what is your qaulification if any in childcare?

underpaid many of us have left NCMA, they are losing members faster than they can recruit hence opening up firstly to nannies and now other early Yeas workers. They care absolutely zilch about childminders and do nothing to retain loyal members. 27 out of 30 of my network have left NCMA in the last 2 years.

They are noticeably absent when their presence is needed and silent when a voice needs to be heard.

I'd also love to be consulted as both a parent and a childminder.

I can actually think of 2 families where there were 6 under 2's. there were the Waltons and the one on discovery health. (Kate something or other plus 8 or something)

Well we're none the wiser as to how these proposals will reduce costs, let alone "improve" care.

I suppose that's because none of it adds up.

She's only here trying to defend the indefensible for the sake of Ministerial ambition.

I'm happy o be contacted too, as a parent and Early Years manager.

I would be very happy to participate in a focus group discussion on this subject - feel free to PM me Liz.

mindingalongtime said: underpaid many of us have left NCMA, they are losing members faster than they can recruit hence opening up firstly to nannies and now other early Yeas workers. They care absolutely zilch about childminders and do nothing to retain loyal members. 27 out of 30 of my network have left NCMA in the last 2 years.
They are noticeably absent when their presence is needed and silent when a voice needs to be heard.

I have recently re-joined and I'm now wondering if I can have my money back. I hope someone from the NCMA is reading this

Oh boy, I got deleted! My first deletion and I didn't even try to be offensive, I was just quoting something back at Ms Truss!

FWIW this is what the NCMA actually says about the proposals.