Article in the FT today about a Government initiative to try and get more graduates to consider a career in pre-school childcare. Good idea - and it builds on the Governments existing commitments to make affordable childcare more widely available - but pre-school childcare needs to move higher up the political agenda - and, perhaps more importantly, general perceptions about the value of childcare need to change dramatically. Unfortunately pre-school childcare is still seen by many as a form of glorified baby-sitting, an OK job for young women straight out of school, but not a serious profession. Low pay, perceived low status and lack of career prospects are the norm rather than the exception in the sector. In my experience the vast majority of people employed in pre-school childcare are unbelievably dedicated, skilled and proud of the job they do, but this is rarely reflected in their pay-packets or in opportunities to develop their careers. Partly this is because while the vast majority of paid childcare in Britain is expensive at the point of delivery, a lot of the money in the system goes straight out as profits for private sector providers.

Good quality childcare needs properly rewarded, developed and supported staff to deliver it. It also requires not just government, but employers, to put their hands in their pockets. Any ideas on this - what more can be done to drive childcare higher up the political agenda?

FT.com / World / UK - Cash for nurseries that hire graduates