How many children aged under three should childminders and nursery staff be allowed to look after at the same time?
A relaxation in the number of pre-school children that nurseries and registered childminders can oversee has been announced in order to professionalise the pre-school workforce and cut the cost of childcare in England.
It may sound obvious - the rights and needs of the child are the starting point for all parenting support. The key aim of any work with parents is to protect children's rights and enable parents to meet their children's needs.
Parents want practitioners who are confident and well-informed, but also able to get alongside them and show an interest in them and their lives. When practitioners and parents work together within an ethos of partnership, with each contributing their particular expertise and knowledge, this helps to overcome barriers that prevent parents seeking support and ensures that support is effective and relevant.
Parents have unique knowledge and information about their children and the vast majority of parents want to do their best, although some struggle to do so. Work with parents should be non-judgemental and should seek to empower by building on and valuing parents' existing strengths, knowledge and experience.
Practitioners should engage with all those in a parenting role, respecting gender and cultural differences and tailoring support to the needs of different parents.
Workforce development and support is key to ensuring high quality parenting support. Staff should have specific training for work with parents and be encouraged to reflect on and develop their skills and practice.
Download: Principles and values that underpin the national occupational standards for work with parents
Download: UN Convention on the rights of the child - in child-friendly language
The new name for Daycare Trust and the Family and Parenting Institute.
Report reveals childcare is the luxury that families have to afford as figures show that nursery, childminder and after-school club costs are all rising at more than double the rate of inflation.
The two charities merged on 1 January 2013 and the new charity will be launched in April 2013.
A review of Daycare Trust's achievements in 2012
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