Letter: Care after school

Gill Haynes
Saturday 29 November 1997 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: Everyone involved in lobbying for better child care will welcome the Government's pounds 300m investment in a national childcare programme (report, 26 November). But if the plans are to work, they must be built on the foundations that are already in place.

In the UK, the majority of child care for the under-eights - including before- and after-school care - is provided by registered childminders working in their own homes. These carers are the backbone of Britain's childcare economy. They are particularly important for lone parents, who value the individual attention and continuity of care childminders can offer.

While an expansion of after-school clubs is to be welcomed, all parents have the right to choose the best type of care for their children, and my association will be lobbying hard for a part of the new investment to be targeted at the expansion, training and support of registered childminders so that parental choice and children's welfare stay at the top of the political agenda.

GILL HAYNES

National Childminding Association

Bromley, Kent

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in