When I think about what is happening to the Grove, the fantastic Sure Start children and family centre that our two-year-old daughter has attended happily for the past 14 months, I find myself coming close to tears.
Our situation seems to reflect the reality of serious cuts affecting state-funded children's centres, widely seen as a very worthwhile investment under the Labour Government but now subject to a largely unreported funding squeeze across England, despite coalition pledges last month to prioritise an increase in 'affordable childcare'.
Indeed, in our household, the notion that improving childcare is truly a ministerial priority is something of a bitter joke.
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