UNISON launches childcare charter for West Dunbartonshire

Date: Monday 15 June 2015 UNISON has launched a positive 10 point Charter for Early Years services run by West Dunbartonshire Council. Staff feel the quality and value of their interaction with children is being diminished as to date there has been minimal engagement with the workforce or their union UNISON on how the expanded provision is delivered.   The Charter sets out basic principles about how the Council should work with staff to  implement the Scottish Government’s commitment to increase provision of 600 hours free nursery places for all 3 and 4 years olds, and the further expansion to some two year olds coming this August. This is time for a reset and for the council to adopt a genuine partnership approach with UNISON so that we can work together in the best interest of young children and families. Simon Macfarlane, UNISON Regional Organiser today said: "The increase in free childcare provision is a major step forward for young children and their families and UNISON believes this provision is best delivered by local authorities.

Scottish children cannot wait another 15 years for high quality childcare, says UNISON

Monday 1 June 2015

Responding to another Independent Review of the Scottish Early Learning and Childcare Workforce, UNISON has called time on the Scottish Government, demanding they now act to deliver improved childcare and early years education in Scotland.

The report, which has been published today (1 June 2015), was commissioned by the Scottish Government.  

Carol Ball, chair of UNISON Scotland education issues group, said:

 "It’s time for action on childcare and early years. This is the second major review of the early years and childcare workforce in less than ten years and the Commission for Childcare reform has also published its interim findings.

"The recommendations in this report are similar to those in previous reports.

"When a similar childcare and early learning  workforce review was published 2006 UNISON accepted we had to allow time for the private and voluntary sectors to catch up, for example,  to work towards a better qualified workforce.

UNISON Scotland launches Childcare Charter

Monday 16 March 2015

UNISON Scotland today (16 March) launched a Childcare Charter. The charter calls for an expansion of paid parental leave and flexible working for parents; and fair pay, training and career paths for childcare workers. UNISON has also called for childcare to be delivered free in the public rather than private sector.

Carol Ball, chair of UNISON’s education issues group said ‘The research is abundantly clear. High quality childcare is hugely beneficial for children, it supports parents and grows the economy. It helps close the gender pay gap, supports women in work and reduces child poverty.

I am calling on all political parties to make childcare a central policy platform for the coming elections and say how they will make the real change that families and childcare workers are calling out for. We need to change work for parents and improve terms and conditions for the childcare workforce, as this will improve the lives of children in Scotland.’

UNISON Scotland Childcare Charter calls for

·         High quality childcare

·         Free childcare provided in the public sector

·         Extension of paid parental leave

·         Improved flexible working

·         More research into what parents want

·         Fair pay for nursery staff

·         Training for nursery staff

·         Preparation time and study leave for nursery staff

·         Career paths for nursery staff

In reality they are abandoning people with mental health issues in the city," she said. "They want GAMH to provide a citywide service, but that will not be possible with the budget suggested. Given the report which says the charity is currently saving the city £11.1m, this raises questions about the council's fiscal competence."In reality they are abandoning people with mental health issues in the city," she said. "They want GAMH to provide a citywide service, but that will not be possible with the budget suggested. Given the report which says the charity is currently saving the city £11.1m, this raises questions about the council's fiscal competence."Notes to Editor

·         UNISON is the largest public services trade union in Europe. We are the largest  trade union in Scotland.

·         You can read UNISON Scotland childcare charter here: http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/educationissues/UNISONScotlandChildcareCharter_Mar2015.pdf

Education and care must go hand in hand in early years services

#stuc13 Congress welcomed the recent Scottish Government’s response to the consultation on the Children and Young People Bill and the commitment to enshrine in law more effective rights for children and young people in Scotland, based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Full story http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/stuc2013/19.html

UNISON responds to report on nursery education around staff qualifications

Thu 7 Nov: Carol Ball, education spokeswoman for public service union Unison, said: "Child development officers plan and provide for the curriculum and educate children in nurseries to the same level as qualified teachers and, in some cases, our qualifications are more appropriate."

From Herald article:
Wide variations in childrens' access to teachers at nursery Thu 7 November by Andrew Denholm
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/education/wide-variations-in-childrens-access-to-teachers-at-nursery.19361411


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OECD education report card shows need for investment in Scotland’s early years professional team

Date: Tuesday  11 September 2012

UNISON has called for Scotland's early years professional team to be supported, after an international report found investment per pupil in early years education is lower than the OECD average.

Commenting on the finding in a newly-published OECD report 'Education at a Glance', Carol Ball, a child development officer and chair of UNISON’s Education Issues Group said:

"We all know the earliest years of a child’s life are crucial. Scotland's early years professional team of nursery nurses and child development officers have the qualifications, skills and experience to deliver the service our children deserve. They should not be viewed as a cheap alternative - as the EIS so often claim they are - but should be fully supported to provide our children with the best start in life.

"The level of investment in Scotland's whole early years professional team should match up to international standards - so that the excellent service our nursery nurses and child development officers provide can be offered more widely."

ENDS

Notes for editors

1. Early years staff across Scotland councils have a number of job titles including nursery nurse or child development officer. Their qualifications cover working with children from nought to eight years (unlike teachers). Many have embarked on the further qualification of a BA in childhood practice or the SVQ level four. They are more than qualified to undertake leading roles in early years’ centres and nurseries. Nursery nurses are the early years’ professionals. 

UNISON Scotland represent the vast majority of workers working with children in their early years: midwives; health visitors; community nurses; school nurses; nursery nurses, social workers and support staff in schools.

2. For more information on UNISON’s aims for early years’ education, please download a copy of our education manifesto at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/publicworks/educationmanifesto.pdf

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Early years staff have vital role to play in children’s education, says UNISON

‘Early years staff have a vital role to play in children’s education’. That was the message from UNISON Scotland today ahead of a meeting of the Scottish Parliament’s education committee in Edinburgh.