This is Pat Rowland's, UNISON Scotland, speech at Scottish Labour Party Conference on Early Education and childcare.
"Early Education and childcare has become a political football over the years with publicly
provided provision becoming a hostage to fortune at the whim of councils trying
to manage SNP and Tory cuts to Local Authorities.
Early years establishments follow education standards.
The mix of private and publicly funded childcare doesn't work.
The publicly funded provision employs highly qualified
professionals in the field whereas private provision has first of all to make a
profit at the expense of lower wages, qualified staff with support workers and
sometimes much poorer quality.
High quality childcare is imperative to enable women
to reach their potential and ensure their independence.
