8 December 2008 - Daycare Trust respond to DCSF report - ‘Children’s Plan: one year on’
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CONTACT: DAYCARE TRUST PRESS OFFICE, 020 7840 3350, OUT OF HOURS 0780-4508768
Daycare Trust respond to DCSF report - ‘Children’s Plan: one year on’.
Responding to the publication of ‘The Children’s Plan: One year on’ by the DCSF today, Daycare Trust joint chief executive Alison Garnham said:
“Credit is due to the DCSF for what has been a very successful first year for the Children’s Plan.
“There are now almost 3,000 Sure Start Children’s Centres, and we would support any move to gold-plate this achievement by legislating to place them on a statutory footing.
“The Government should build on their successes by taking steps to make childcare more affordable by extending the free childcare entitlement to all two year olds, extending it to 20 hours per week and allowing the poorest parents to claim 100% of the cost of childcare through tax credits rather than the current 80% maximum.
“The extension of the Extended Schools initiative is important in view of changes to benefits for lone parents with older children, but there is more to be done, as for school age children there are still gaps showing in many local authorities’ Childcare Sufficiency Assessments.
“The Early Years Foundation Stage has provided a clear framework of standards, but the next frontier for raising quality in childcare is tackling the poor pay and conditions suffered by too many of the early years workforce, providing the training and leadership which will produce professionalised highly motivated staff”.
Ends.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Daycare Trust is the national childcare charity, campaigning for quality affordable accessible childcare for all and raising the voices of children, parents and carers. We advise parents and carers, providers, employers, trade unions and policymakers on childcare issues. We recognise that everyone is unique and we value difference in our communities. We listen to all views and are committed to act without prejudice. We oppose all discrimination and promote equality in all we do.
Daycare Trust is calling on the government to:
- Meet parents' aspirations for universal childcare services by:
- expanding free places for two, three and four-year olds to at least 20 hours a week, for 48 weeks in the year and
- subsidising out of school activities for all 11-14s and for younger children from poorer families, aiming ultimately to make them free.
- Tackle the affordability crisis by giving local authorities the means to develop sustainable services in poorer areas and provide free places for those missing out, including places for disabled children, parents needing out of hours care, Further Education students and parents of under-threes who want to train.
- Raise the bar on childcare quality by expanding the Graduate Leader Fund, developing a new generation of childcare professionals and paying them properly.
Daycare Trust runs an information line (020 7840 3350) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am-5pm. Parents can also visit www.daycaretrust.org.uk for information.
Daycare Trust is a member of the Campaign to End Child Poverty, www.ecpc.org.uk.
For further information, contact press office at Daycare Trust on 020 7840 3350, ext 217 (out of hours 0780-4508768).
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