With the General Election just days away, it's encouraging to see within the main politial parties' manifestos that childcare is a critical issue with huge potential to sway voters, and featured prominently.
The Conservative manifesto doubled down on its commitment to “deliver the largest ever expansion of childcare in history”. Meanwhile, Labour confirmed that they would carry out the current plans to offer 30 hours of free childcare a week to parents of children aged nine months and over, starting next year.
This focus on the sector is welcome; our childcare crisis is the result of long-standing neglect. However, there is a glaring oversight in both the Labour and Conservative manifestos: childminders. This vital cohort of early years staff is mentioned only once in the Conservative manifesto and not at all in Labour's.
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