With so little time left until polling day, nursery education funding grabbed the headlines this week as the Conservatives promised to suspend the code of practice and allow childcare providers to charge top-up fees (see News, page 4).
Labour and the Liberal Democrats promptly restated their opposition to any such move, as it would penalise less well-off parents in particular.
It is undeniable that the free entitlement is of huge importance to families and could well have an influence on voting intentions. But it is equally true that difficulties with reconciling the extended hours and the Early Years Single Funding Formula with the sustainability of providers are mounting.
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