deliver
NEWS RELEASE
7 December 2005
Deliver the childcare revolution that children and parents deserve
The national childcare charities are calling on the government to make a number of changes to its landmark Childcare Bill to ensure it helps create the framework for a truly universal, high quality and affordable childcare and early years service that meets the needs of children and parents. As the Bill begins to be debated in detail by MPs (on Tuesday 6 December), a coalition of the national childcare charities have tabled amendments in six key areas to ensure the best deal for children and parents.
4Children, the Daycare Trust, the National Childminding Association, and the Pre-School Learning Alliance have joined forces to propose changes to the Childcare Bill to ensure that it delivers:
- Clarity for parents about what childcare they can expect in their area
- Higher quality childcare, as well as ‘sufficient' quantity
- Recognition of the needs of the poorest children whose parents don't work
- A duty on Local Authorities to find out what childcare parents need, as well as assessing what's already provided locally
- A clear and appropriate role for schools within the local childcare market
- A level playing field for the private and voluntary sectors as key providers of childcare.
The Childcare Bill proposes a new duty on Local Authorities to ensure there is enough childcare available locally to meet the needs of working parents. Councils will be responsible for improving outcomes for young children and shaping the local childcare market. The Bill also overhauls the regulation regime for childcare and early years services. The proposed amendments seek to further improve the offer being made to children and parents through this Bill in a series of key areas.
In a joint statement in support of the proposed amendments, the childcare charities said:
"Overall this Bill is warmly welcomed and represents a major step forward in the childcare campaign. We applaud the government for introducing this historic piece of legislation — putting the needs of families in their communities centre stage at last."
"However, we are determined to make sure this Bill brings the maximum benefit to all children and parents. That's why we've proposed a number of changes — to safeguard quality, to support Local Authorities as champions for children locally, and to ensure the Bill really delivers for all children and parents."
"With further progress in these key areas — and backed up by increased resources over the coming years — this Bill can help create a real childcare revolution in the UK. We need to set our sights high, ensuring support to children and parents when and where they need it most. With political will and sustained resources, we can create a childcare and early years system which becomes an integral and expected part of the community landscape, just like the local school and GP surgery. The ambition of our organisations for this Bill, and the childcare strategy as whole, is no less than this".
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Andrew Fletcher
Pre-school Learning Alliance
T: 020 7833 0991
Out of hours press calls: 07979 531130
E: Andrew Fletcher
Notes for Editors:
- For further information or comment on the amendments being championed by the childcare charities — or on the Childcare Bill itself — please contact:
Lara Gorman, Press Officer, 4Children on 020 7522 6925 or lara.gorman@4Children.org.uk
Daniela Reale, Policy and Campaigns Manager, the Daycare Trust on 020 7840 ext 202 or dreale@daycaretrust.org.uk
Andrew Fletcher, Press and Parliamentary Manager, Pre-School Learning Alliance on 020 7833 0991 or andrew.fletcher@pre-school.org.uk - The Childcare Bill is a key part of the government's Ten Year Childcare Strategy aimed at giving choice to parents and the best start to children. The Bill proposes placing new duties on Local Authorities to: secure the provision of sufficient childcare to meet the needs of parents to work or train; to improve outcomes for young children, and reduce inequalities; and, to provide information, advice and assistance to parents and childcare providers. The Bill also reforms the rules regulating childcare and early years services, including the creation of the new Early Years Foundation Stage for 0-5 year olds.
- This is the first ever piece of legislation focused solely on childcare and services for young children. It received its Second Reading in the House of Commons on 28th November and will begin its Committee Stage on Tuesday 6th December. This provides an opportunity for MPs to debate the measures in detail and propose changes — including those tabled by the childcare organisations.
- A full list of the tabled amendments, with explanations and justifications, is available on request.
- 4Children is the national charity campaigning for, developing and supporting high quality childcare, children's centres and extended schools. 4Children aspires to ensure that all children, young people and families have access to a creative, safe and child focused environment, and activities throughout childhood. For more information on 4Children call 020 7512 2100 www.4Children.org.uk
- Daycare Trust is the national childcare charity, campaigning for quality affordable childcare for all and raising the voices of children, parents and carers. We advise parents and carers, providers, employers, trade unions and policy makers on childcare issues. www.daycaretrust.org.uk
- National Childminding Association (NCMA), a membership organisation and national charity, promotes quality home-based childcare for the benefit of children, families and communities. It already speaks on behalf of the 75,000 registered childminders in England and Wales and, now with a new membership package for nannies and other home-based childcarers, increasingly for home-based childcare in England and Wales. www.ncma.org.uk
- Pre-school Learning Alliance links and supports 15,000 early years settings and 500,000 young children and their families in England. Established in 1961 and registered as an educational charity, the Alliance is involved in a number of Sure Start programmes and Neighbourhood Nurseries across the country. www.pre-school.org.uk