Why are our big three political parties so keen to out do each other in their commitment to separating children from their parents? Labour trumpeted its manifesto offer of 30 hours of childcare for all two, three and four-year-olds by promising a ‘radical expansion of free childcare for all’. Not to be outdone, the Lib Dems say they will offer childcare from nine months for parents in work and 35 free hours a week for all two to four-year-olds. And the Tories joined the childcare arms race with their manifesto pledge to increase the amount of ‘wraparound’ childcare available via schools. For children, this effectively means continuing the school day into the evening and holidays.
Politicians come out with these offers proudly, shouting about their free childcare pledges from the rooftops. It’s as if they want gratitude – and votes – for making it ever cheaper and easier for parents to spend more and more time away from their children.
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