In its annual review published today (Thursday), the Daycare Trust said that the Government's pledge to end child poverty would only succeed if it delivered childcare for all children and parents.
Writing in the review, Melian Mansfield, chair of the Daycare Trust, and its director, Stephen Burke, said, 'Most parents are unaware of the National Childcare Strategy; childcare is still beyond the reach of most families except those on higher incomes and those now getting help through the childcare tax credit; and there is still only one registered childcare place for every seven children aged under eight.
'The time is right to take a fundamental look at where we are going and where we want to be in ten years time. The UK is at the crossroads. Where we go in this Parliament will determine what kind of childcare services we have for decades to come - and what future generations of children will have. For childcare is not just a public good in its own right, it is crucial to tackling child poverty, helping all families achieve their full potential and rebuilding communities.'
The Trust said that despite the Government making significant investment in childcare provision through the National Childcare Strategy, the number of places for children under eight in England increased by only 16,800, or 2 per cent in the year 2000-2001. It added, 'Parents are faced with the highest childcare bills in Europe, many are unable to work or train as a result, and millions of children are missing out on the benefits of quality childcare.'
The Trust also quoted a recent MORI survey which found that 93 per cent of parents agreed that affordable quality childcare should be available to all children aged 12 months or older.
