Ministers and policymakers will speak on 'Meeting the Childcare Challenge' at Daycare Trust's annual conference aat the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Westminster from 10am to 4.15pm on Tuesday 11 November 2003. Ministers will also hear the views of parents from around the country as they speak about the challenges they face accessing childcare.
National policies have focused on developing childcare in the 20% most disadvantaged areas. Daycare Trust's Childcare Challenge project has consulted over 400 parents and children living outside the targeted areas to find out how they are coping with childcare. It has been working with families from Cornwall, Greenwich, Sefton and Middlesbrough and a video will be launched at the conference that tells their story.
Daycare Trust's biggest ever annual conference will be chaired by the BBC's Reeta Chakrabarti. Keynote speakers include:
- Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP, Minister for Children, Young People and Families
- Rt Hon Dawn Primarolo MP, Paymaster General
- Pauline Moreau, Childcare Directorate, Department of Justice and Law Reform, Ireland
- Peter Moss, Professor of Early Years Provision, Thomas Coram Research Institute
- Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London
- Ratna Dutt, Race Equality Unit
- Phillipa Russell, Council for Disabled Children
During the afternoon there will be a cross-party question time discussion with:
- Karen Buck MP, Labour
- David Willetts MP, Conservative
- Baroness Walmsley, Liberal Democrat
- Lisa Harker, Chair, Daycare Trust
Daycare Trust will also publish 'Facing the Childcare Challenge', the preliminary report from the Childcare Challenge project, on Monday 10 November in advance of the conference.
The Childcare Challenge project is working to highlight childcare and poverty issues for families living outside the 20% most disadvantaged areas and to increase childcare opportunities. Key findings of the Childcare Challenge project are reflected in the Daycare Trust postcard campaign that summarises what parents said they want.
For programme, booking details and more information about Daycare Trust and childcare visit: http://www.daycaretrust.org.uk
Daycare Trust is the national childcare charity. It promotes quality affordable childcare for all and advises parents, providers, employers, trade unions and policymakers on childcare issues. Daycare Trust runs a childcare helpline for parents (020 7840 3350), open for calls Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm, with access to Language Line interpreters for non-English speakers. Parents can also visit http://www.daycaretrust.org.uk
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