Child Care Bill 2nd Reading - Notice of Speech

6.00.00pm GMT Mon 28th Nov 2005

Speaking in the House of Commons

Speaking in the 2nd Reading of the Child Care Bill today, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for children and families, Annette Brooke MP will say: "Whilst the proposals in the Bill are mainly welcome, long overdue and do have the potential to bring about many benefits for a lot of children and families - we must keep the bigger vision in mind despite the challenges of how we significantly increase the share of GDP spent on early years provision over future decades. Even with the current proposals before us, a general point of concern is: whether there will be sufficient funding to deliver the Bill's goals.

"I seriously question the cost neutrality assumptions. I want this Bill to make a difference - to reduce inequalities and to improve childcare for disabled children - but without sufficient funding what true progress will be made in plugging some of the most important gaps.

"There are major challenges to the Government as to how we move to a professionalized workforce with the necessary investment required and the knock on effects to the cost of child care.

"I don't think that it is madness or ridiculous to propose an Early Years Foundation Stage. The principle of a coherent framework which provides quality and consistency across settings is in the interests of children and practitioners - however, it must not be too prescriptive.

"In an ideal world, there would be universal, affordable, quality childcare and 12 months parental leave paid at a level which would provide all parents with the option of being able to afford to stay at home and care for their children during the first year of their life if they choose to do so."

ENDS