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Children's Workforce

The Government is committed to promoting the welfare and development of all children and young people. Good quality care, education and play for all children, particularly in the early years, raise educational standards and opportunities, and enhance children's social development.

The Government is determined that all child care services, be they new or established, provide a secure and safe environment for children, not least so that parents can have confidence that their children are well looked after.

To ensure that quality services are provided for children, a suitably qualified workforce is essential. The experience and qualifications required by those working in Early Years and Playwork settings have been set out within the National Standards for under 8s daycare and childminding (DfES, 2003).

Click for more on inspection and regulation.

The Early Years, Childcare and Playwork: Qualifications website (previously the Children’s Workforce: Qualifications website) has been developed by DCSF and partners to support individuals and employers in identifying appropriate training and development for particular job roles in early years and playwork.

The Every Child Matters website has more information about Early years workforce development and the Transformation fund, which supports the training of early years professionals.

Children's workforce reform and professional development

Funding for early years workforce development

2020 Children's Workforce Strategy

Following publication of the Children’s Plan, the Government has established an Expert Group on the Children's Workforce to support the development of a long-term strategy. Information on the 2020 Children’s Workforce Strategy project is available at the Children’s Workforce Strategy pages of Every Child Matters.


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Last updated on 22/04/2009