Talk of disadvantaged children being left behind so often leaves out the workforce most likely to reach them, says Brett Wigdortz Polly Toynbee is right that England’s childcare system is falling short on its social purpose (It’s always been a fight to get children the early years care they deserve. It’s time to fight again, 20 March). But the irony is that talk of disadvantaged children being left behind often leaves out the workforce most likely to reach them: childminders. When we frame nurseries as the default in childcare provision (as Toynbee does, with not a single nod to childminders) we put low-income families even further on the back foot. As she notes, private equity-backed nursery chains prefer wealthier areas – they’re not itching to set up shop in deprived ones. But childminders can open their doors on any street and represent communities across the country. As they work from home and have lower overheads, they can be an oasis of affordability in deprived areas. And unlike nurseries’ more rigid hours, childminders offer flexible, wraparound care better suited to parents who work shifts. Without a plan to rebuild this vital workforce (which has lost 75,000 providers si
Mar 29, 2026 → Apr 10, 2026
With the BMA making âimpossibleâ demands and Labour responding with Trumpian threats, negotiations are stuck â and itâs the NHS that will suffer Whatâs the off-ramp? When I ask one of the negotiating team close to the health…
Read original at The Guardian →2 updates from 1 source over 12 days.
With the BMA making âimpossibleâ demands and Labour responding with Trumpian threats, negotiations are stuck â and itâs the NHS that will suffer Whatâs the off-ramp? When I ask one of the negotiating team…
Read original at The Guardian →Talk of disadvantaged children being left behind so often leaves out the workforce most likely to reach them, says Brett Wigdortz Polly Toynbee is right that England’s childcare system is falling short on its social…
Read original at The Guardian →What this story stands on. Tier 0 is a primary record or the subject's own words; higher tiers must be attributed, never stated as bare fact.
With the BMA making âimpossibleâ demands and Labour responding with Trumpian threats, negotiations are stuck â and itâs the NHS that will suffer Whatâs the off-ramp? When I ask one of the negotiating team close to the health…
View source →Talk of disadvantaged children being left behind so often leaves out the workforce most likely to reach them, says Brett Wigdortz Polly Toynbee is right that England’s childcare system is falling short on its social purpose (It’s always…
View source →Tier key: T0 = Primary source · T1 = Wire · T2 = Outlet report · T3 = Commentary
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