Ms Frances Byrne:

We agree with the previous speakers. The local and expert eyes are important. It is also important to acknowledge that the county childcare committees or CCCs, as we all affectionately call them, are already doing this. There are development officers doing it and offering the service. It is not a secret that there are ongoing discussions in respect of workforce development. It is something that has come out of the First 5 strategy in strengthening links between smaller settings and childminders locally. Certainly, if there is to be commonality around qualification, even though it might only be a small part of what is expected of centre-based assessments, there would be opportunities for training and co-learning. That is not to take away from the point made by Ms Quinn. I entirely agree about particular kinds of expertise. However, there is a good deal to be said for educators, no matter which hat they are wearing or what they do all day, to get together for training and so on. Certainly, in respect of shared services, if childminding comes more into regulation then I absolutely agree with point on the local expertise.