Nursery World - Media watch (287)

Leaks about the content of the Government's ten-year strategy for universal childcare seeped into the national media last week. The Observer expected measures to boost training and pay for childcare workers, while the Sunday Times reported that the extended schools initiative 'may be linked to an offer that new parents should be entitled to up to a year off', part of which could be taken by the father. On the subject of the state's involvement in family life, Margarette Driscoll in the Sunday Times said, 'Not content with chivvying mothers back to work and putting children into wraparound childcare, Margaret Hodge now wants to meddle in the home.' The Daily Mail said that the children's minister's 'unashamed defence of Labour's attempts to extend the reach of the state into the home will heighten controversy over the "nanny state".'

On the subject of the state's involvement in family life, Margarette Driscoll in the Sunday Times said, 'Not content with chivvying mothers back to work and putting children into wraparound childcare, Margaret Hodge now wants to meddle in the home.' The Daily Mail said that the children's minister's 'unashamed defence of Labour's attempts to extend the reach of the state into the home will heighten controversy over the "nanny state".'

Home secretary David Blunkett's affair with Kimberly Fortier stayed in the headlines, as the Sunday Times portrayed Ms Fortier 'wreaking her revenge'

on her ex-lover with claims that he misused his office by facilitating the granting of permanent residence for her Filipino nanny.

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