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Rt Hon Ed Balls MP: Childcare is the ‘new frontier of the welfare state’.

In his contribution to a new pamphlet entitled ‘Childhood futures’ which is published today to mark the annual conference of Daycare Trust, the national childcare campaign, Secretary of State for Children. Schools and Families Rt Hon Ed Balls MP writes:

“The Government is investing £100 million over three years to extend the offer of free education and childcare to 20,000 2 year olds in our most disadvantaged communities. It is no exaggeration to say that what we have here is a new frontier of the welfare state, a new, modern public service.”

Mr.Balls goes on to say that he will shortly publish a document in December setting out some of the steps he proposes to take in refreshing the Government’s Ten Year Childcare Strategy, with a particular focus on ensuring childcare provision is of a high quality.

In the same pamphlet, Shadow spokesperson for the Family Maria Miller MP argues that David Cameron: “Wants Britain to be the most family friendly country in the world”.

Maria Miller acknowledges a role for Sure Start in facilitating Health Visitors doing outreach work in the community but she also argues that:

“Sure Start needs to work harder to support those families which it was originally designed for. If we are serious about boosting social mobility, giving children from the most deprived backgrounds a better start in life, we must make Sure Start works better.”

In his contribution to the pamphlet, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg MP reveals his parties new childcare policies, with a particular emphasis on the childcare workforce. Mr.Clegg writes that: “Labour has put pressure on early years childcare staff by placing unreasonable expectations on them, while at the same time doing nothing to improve the support that they are given”. Mr Clegg argues that this approach has undermined the workforce and caused low morale and: “If staff are feeling undervalued and deflated there is also a greater chance that those negative feelings will be passed on to the children they are looking after”

The full text of each contribution is available on our website www.daycaretrust.org.uk along with a detailed response from Daycare Trust joint Chief Executives Alison Garnham and Emma Knights.

Daycare Trust joint Chief Executive Emma Knights said:

Ends.

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Copies of the report are availabel on request
• Rt Hon Hilary Armstrong MP addresses the conference at 10.25am, Maria Miller MP is speaking at 1.30pm, Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg MP speaks at 2pm, and DWP Minister Kitty Ussher MP takes part in a panel discussion at 3.45pm.
• Daycare Trust joint Chief Executives Alison Garnham & Emma Knights are available for interview.
• For filming or photography options at the Conference call Joe Caluori on 07736 311 082

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 07736311082).