Children & Society · 2003 · 10 citations · 2 references
Public AffairsHealth PolicySocial PolicyChild PolicyChild WelfareEarly Childhood PolicyChild Welfare PolicyChildcare PolicyChild Care SupplyEarly Childhood Care PolicyEarly Childhood Expansion PolicyEarly Childhood Funding PolicyEarly Childhood Program FundingEarly Childhood Public ProvisionPublic Agenda SettingShort-term Funding Policy
This paper considers what progress has been made towards the development of a coherent national policy on services for young children under eight and their families. Since the election of a ‘new’ Labour government in 1997, services for children and families have been higher on the public agenda than at any time in living memory. Much has been achieved, through additional funding, expansion of services, and a more coordinated approach to service provision. But there is still a severe shortage of day care places for children under three, too few appropriately trained staff, a heavy reliance on short term funding, and no agreement on the overall policy on and purpose of early childhood services. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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