'Grill candidates about childcare'

The Daycare Trust has highlighted five key questions to ask candidates during National Childcare Week (20 to 27 May). The questions are:

* How will your party ensure that there are enough childcare places for every child and every parent who wants and needs one?

* How will your party ensure quality childcare?

* How will your party help parents pay for childcare?

* What is your party's vision for childcare by the year 2010?

* How is your party listening to the needs of parents and children?

Daycare Trust director Stephen Burke said, 'The theme of National Childcare Week is "Childcare voices, childcare choices". As childcare expands in the UK it is crucial that policymakers listen to children and parents and deliver the services they want and need. The answers to these five questions will show who is listening.'

Hundreds of events across the UK have been planned for National Childcare Week, including children's competitions, information and awareness days, launches of new nurseries and other childcare services, roadshows and fun events on 'Family-friendly Friday' (25 May).

The bricks for a new daycare centre will be laid in Darlington, Co Durham, while a children's information service and guide will be launched in the London borough of Wands-worth, and children and parents will be asked about childcare at shopping centres in Rochdale, Lancashire. In Brom-ley, Kent, events range from a business breakfast for employers and information day for parents to a recruitment fair for childcare staff and a drawing competition for children.

During the week the Daycare Trust will be publishing a survey of parent's views on childcare, holding a national conference on work and family issues, and displaying children's own photographs celebrating childcare.