According to The Observer, David Cameron's special adviser Steve Hiltonhas said that the Conservatives view solving the problems of modernfamilies as a priority.
The paper said the Government was considering offering poor familiesfree nursery places for all under-fives. Children's minister BeverleyHughes said she expected local authorities to plug the gaps 'within twoto three years'.
These include the gap for children aged between one and three, aftermaternity leave ends and before parents can claim the nursery educationgrant.
Ms Hughes said, 'They now have their first assessments of what'savailable and what parents want and therefore where the gap is. They arecharged with working to meet that demand. It's not a guarantee of 'whatyou want when you want it', but it's a right.'
In a speech last week, shadow children's minister Michael Gove said theConservatives were committed to supporting Sure Start Children'sCentres.
He added, 'Childcare is provided overwhelmingly by the private andvoluntary sector and exploring how we can improve quality andaffordability is central to what George Osborne and I are doing.'
