The Government’s tough New Deal for the long-term unemployed may exacerbate the image of pre-five work as low status if it proves an attractive option for trainees.
Dundee admits child care has always been seen as a job anyone can do, with poor pay and few career opportunities. Many workers hold no formal qualifications, despite their responsibilities.
Responding to the Scottish Office consultation paper on education in early childhood, the city points out there is already a huge existing demand for placements in pre-five work.
The city comments: “The New Deal is likely to increase this demand from untrained and relatively inexperienced trainees for whom child care may be seen as an attractive option.
“This has the potential to further exacerbate the low status image of child care and increase the number of poorly trained young people working within it.”
