Childcare Bill

moved Amendment No. 26:"Page 4, line 16, leave out paragraph (a) and insert—" ““(   )   must have regard to the needs of parents in their area— (i)   who are eligible for the childcare element of the working tax credit; (ii)   who are eligible for the maximum entitlement to the child tax credit; (iii)   for the provision of childcare which is suitable for disabled children; and (iv)   from black and minority ethnic communities”” The noble Baroness said: I shall speak also to Amendment No. 27. Amendment No. 26 would include a specific mention of low-income families, both working and non-working, and of the needs of disabled children and those from black and ethnic-minority communities. Amendment No. 27 mentions the need for diversity in the kind of provision and care appropriate for ethnic-minority families in the duty to provide sufficient childcare. There are many different kinds of childcare settings as well as day nurseries. There are playgroups, mother-and-toddler groups and other setups. There are settings that teach according to the Steiner and Montessori principles. It is important that they are all considered and supported by the local authority. Can the Minister assure us that any guidance developed for local authorities will encourage them, in carrying out this new duty, to consider all types of provision? It is also important that everything that local authorities do in relation to this new duty is ethnically monitored, as required by the amended Race Relations Act 1976, to ensure that local children from black and ethnic-minority communities have equality of access and opportunity and are treated equally in relation to childcare. This may mean a certain amount of outreach work beyond what is needed for the indigenous population. The Minister in another place agreed on these matters, but said:"““We therefore expect local authorities to take into account the need to consider cultural factors when securing child care, and the guidance will give information as well as examples.—[Official Report, Commons Standing Committee D, 8/12/05; col. 128.]" Although I welcome that statement, we must understand that across the childcare sector the understanding of the implications of the Race Relations Act is limited. Training in anti-discriminatory practice is not easily accessible, due to the limited number of competent trainers working in early years and the budgets available for training. Perhaps the Minister could tell me how Ofsted monitors adherence to the Act and whether the inspectors are sufficiently knowledgeable about these issues to make competent judgments? Paragraph 10 of the notes on the guidance for the new duty mentions socially excluded and minority groups, but there is no mention, for example, of Gypsy and Traveller children, nor any mention of the workforce. It is important in the recruitment, development and training of the workforce that attention is given to encouraging members of all communities to get involved in working with children and to train to improve their qualifications. Children need role models that they recognise. They do not always feel comfortable in a setting where there is no adult who looks like them or speaks their language. I have heard some very moving stories from practitioners about how children suffer when that is not provided, and flourish when it is. The promotion of racial equality is also very important for the development of children at this crucial early stage when attitudes are developing. We need to do whatever is necessary to help them develop positive attitudes to differences between people. To a great extent, children do not notice differences between themselves and other children; they get on with playing together, and that is a very good thing. However, we need to address the need for the adults in their lives—those in positions of influence and authority—to cover the same racial mix, as far as possible, as the children in the area. Otherwise, the belief will be that only white people are in a position of authority; that is highly undesirable and will not do. A good racial mix among the workforce will also enable an understanding of the cultural differences between children so that they can develop an appreciation of their own and other children’s cultures. A strong foundation in these matters is vital not only to the child’s development but to social cohesion when children grow up. We must not ignore it. I beg to move.