Childcare Bill

This debate emphasised to me the heavy responsibility we are placing on local authorities to manage these markets. For the sake of critical thinking, I shall say that the presumption that diversity of provider is a good thing is not held by everybody, as the Minister will be aware. Dr Rolfe wrote an article on recruitment and retention in the early years childcare workforce. She expressed concern about the difficulties in retention and the higher turnover in the private sector. One sees that private prisons are good at reforming archaic practices in the Prison Officers’ Association, but they tend to have significantly higher turnover rates. This is an issue for children in early years settings where we want stability. I understand that there is some evidence that the maintained sector tends to have higher qualified staff and is more resilient to economic pressures, not being so prone to reduce quality. Professor Moss of the Institute of Education produced a paper for the Daycare Trust in which he pushed for a state-run childcare system. I know that will horrify many noble Lords, but if the Minister could give me a note on why diversity is so important, it would be helpful.