We, on the whole, fully support the proposals in this consultation especially in recognising and valuing early years practitioners. We agree that the early years are a unique and vital stage of life. We also agree that highly skilled professionals are at the heart of quality in the early years and their work lays the foundations for children’s learning, confidence and long term outcomes.

With recruitment and retention a significant concern within the early years sector, is it vital that as many people as possible have the opportunity to become an early years teacher, strengthening routes into early years teaching, but, importantly, improving recognition of its value, and creating clearer, more attractive career pathways and progression.

ASCL agrees that government must champion early years teachers for the vital role they play in shaping children’s futures. Their expertise and impact is indeed, undervalued. 

We support government’s ambition in raising the status of early years teaching as an attractive career choice. We are also supportive of measures taken by the government to recognise and value the professionalism of early years practitioners, ensuring they feel valued and do not leave for an alternative career that offers better progression, higher pay and considerate working conditions.  

Full response to consultation