Nursery World - In loco parentis

When I was young, it was the accepted norm that children were
parented at home, and educated at school.

Many women gave up work, or worked part time, while their children were young. Being a stay-at-home mum was considered an important job. These days, the Government
regularly trumpets the increase in the number of women in the workplace. But one consequence is that parents are less likely to be at home with their children.

Many of my friends could take an extended period off work when they had babies. Their family income levels meant they could work part time, or give up work, before their children were older. They sent their children to pre-school for the social aspects. But many on lower incomes do not have this luxury - funded childcare must feel almost like a demand that they 'get back to work asap'.

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