We have to give mothers a real choice

NOT only have I spent the last 15 years researching parents' views on child care, but as a mother I have first-hand experience of it.

My research - as director of the Out of School Child Care Unit - shows many families are unhappy using child care and many mums want to stay at home but feel forced back into work.

In the UK in 1981, only 24 per cent of women returned to work within a year of childbirth, but by 2001 that figure had risen to 67.

I refused to let my three-year-old daughter Sophie go to nursery before she was two, but I had family to look after her - many parents don't have that choice.

Raising a child is the most important thing most people will ever do and nothing should get in the way of that, especially not money, but there is no financial help for mothers who stay at home. We should have tax breaks, subsidies or grants to give women the financial independence to guide the kids.

Mums should have the option to be the chief role model for their kids - rather than an anonymous carer.

Parents are often unhappy with the quality of carers, so although it is great that the Government is investing money in new child care places, it won't work unless there are trained staff.

Child care is also still expensive even with working tax credits and the different grants available.

But the most important thing is choice. If you choose to return to work, then fine. But if you want to stay at home to care for your child, the Government should come up with help for that too.

Copyright 2004 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.