Day Care Trust

Daycare Trust is calling on partner organisations and parents to sign up to our charter for childcare for all: The UK is at the crossroads.  The National Childcare Strategy is creating much needed improvements in childcare services for children and families.  But compared to many of our European neighbours, where childcare is a key part of the economic and social infrastructure that families take for granted, the UK still has a long way to go. The new Government has an unprecedented opportunity to set the long term agenda and deliver childcare for all children and parents who want and need it by the year 2010.  Childcare is crucial to tackling child poverty and social exclusion - giving children a good start in life, enabling parents to work, study or train, and rebuilding communities.   A children's centre in every neighbourhood as a base and a beacon for appropriate, affordable quality childcare for every child aged 0-14 is the crucial next step to ensuring childcare for all. We call on the Government, local partnerships and childcare providers to invest in all our futures by: 1.  Listening to children and parents Finding out what children and parents really want and need is the key starting point.   2.  Creating affordable quality childcare for all By 2010 every parent should be entitled to a childcare place for their children when and where they need it through a children's centre in every neighbourhood.  Staff are the key to quality childcare and should all be trained and properly rewarded. 3.  Delivering childcare for all The Government, Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships, childcare providers, local authorities, regeneration partnerships, housing providers, schools, employers, trade unions and parents must all be ambitious for children and parents in making it happen. We are pleased to support the charter for childcare for all: Name: Position: Organisation: Address: Postcode Tel: email: Date: Please return to Stephen Burke, Director, Daycare Trust, 21 St George's Road, London SE1 6ES;  fax: 020 7840 3355 or email your support to:  sburke@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 or calls Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm.  Parents can also visit http://www.daycaretrust.org.uk For further information contact Stephen Burke or Megan Pacey at Daycare Trust on 020 7840 3350 .