Skip to content

High contrast

Alliance comments on Blair and Howard speeches on childcare

NEWS RELEASE

11 November 2004

Alliance comments on Blair and Howard speeches on childcare

Judith Thompson, Chair of the Trustees at the Pre-school Learning Alliance, the largest voluntary sector provider of early years education and childcare, commenting on Tony Blair's speech and Michael Howard's announcement on childcare today, said:

"We welcome the importance being placed on childcare by the leaders of the main political parties."

"The childcare system of the future needs to be based on some key principles. The system should support parents' choice, whether this is to remain at home with their children or to return to part-time or full-time work. It should offer a range of flexible services that will meet the different needs of individual families. It should give financial assistance to parents so they can exercise real choice. It should promote a greater involvement of parents in their children's education. It should, of course, provide high quality experiences for children, in safe, secure and stimulation environment with well- qualified and skilled adults."

"Demand on it's own will not create such a system. There needs to be sustainable funding for early years and childcare provision and a strategic approach that builds on existing community provision in the private, public and voluntary sector."

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Louise Banks
Pre-school Learning Alliance
T: 020 7278 9037
Out of hours press calls: 07979 531 130
E: Louise Banks

Notes for Editors:

  1. The Pre-school Learning Alliance has 15,000 member pre-schools who look after 500,000 young children and their families in England every year. Registered as an educational charity, the Alliance is the national dimension of the pre-school movement. Its member pre-schools are based in the community and most are managed and run by parents, alongside trained staff. The charity is involved in more Sure Start projects than any other organisation and aims to open around 30 Neighbourhood Nurseries by the end of the year.
  2. The charity recently launched the next phase of its changing lives changing life campaign, which seeks to give all children the best possible start in life. For more information visit www.pre-school.org.uk or call 020 7833 0991
  3. Pre-school Learning Alliance members receive a regular magazine (Under Five) reflecting issues affecting the early years sector. If you would like to receive a copy of this please call 020 7833 0991.
  4. Further information and all press releases are available on the Pre-school Learning Alliance's website: www.pre-school.org.uk or email pressoffice@pre-school.org.uk
1