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Anxious parents 'mistrust nurseries, minders and nannies'

Increasing anxiety among young parents is prompting them to place greater trust in their immediate family to care for their children, rather than formal child-care, according to a new report. In a survey of 140 parents with children under six, the Future Foundation revealed that most placed greatest trust in their partner or spouse while they had least confidence in nannies, workplace nurseries and their neighbour. A partner or spouse scored 9.7 out of 10 when parents were asked who they trusted most with their child's welfare, while nannies scored 5.8.

In a survey of 140 parents with children under six, the Future Foundation revealed that most placed greatest trust in their partner or spouse while they had least confidence in nannies, workplace nurseries and their neighbour. A partner or spouse scored 9.7 out of 10 when parents were asked who they trusted most with their child's welfare, while nannies scored 5.8.

(See bar chart) After the parents' immediate family, a friend and their child's teacher and doctor were ranked higher than a day nursery or childminder, according to the foundation's report, The Changing Face of Parenting.

The think-tank found that more than two-thirds - 68 per cent - of parents are 'extremely worried' about their children's future and well-being, and this anxiety, particularly among younger parents, is leading to growing support for surveillance technologies.

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