21 September 2008 - Daycare Trust have welcomed the Prime Minister's announcement in a national newspaper interview published today that the Government are to extend the free childcare entitlement currently available for 3 and 4 year old children to 2 year olds.
NEWS FROM DAYCARE TRUST
For immediate use.
Daycare Trust welcome free childcare for two years olds
Daycare Trust, the national childcare campaign, have welcomed the Prime Minister's announcement in a national newspaper interview published today that the Government are to extend the free childcare entitlement currently available for 3 and 4 year old children to 2 year olds.
Speaking at the Labour Party's Annual Conference in Manchester, Daycare Trust joint Chief Executive Emma Knights said:
"This announcement is a welcome staging post on the road to free childcare for all, but it must be put in place as soon as possible.
"Childcare is critical to fighting child poverty, allowing parents to return to work whilst raising the educational outcomes of children from deprived backgrounds.
"Quality childcare has huge long term benefits for society as a whole, increasing educational achievement, cutting crime and creating a more stable and harmonious society.
"Daycare Trust call on all political parties to support this commitment and speak out in favour of free childcare for all families."
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CONTACT: DAYCARE TRUST, 07736 311 082.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Emma Knights will be available for interviews in Manchester.
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.
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