Early years organisations welcomed the opposition's interest in childcare, but also raised concerns over some of the proposals which seemed to support unregulated and informal childcare.
Stressing the need to recognise that many women rely on a 'traditional support network' of relatives, Tory leader Michael Howard went so far as to suggest a 'fast track' course for grandparents to become childminders.
But Gill Haynes, chief executive of the National Childminding Association, questioned why a fast track course was needed.
'Many grandparents are already registered childminders and encouraging more to take up the profession will help more families,' she said. 'But grandparents must meet the same minimum national standards as other registered childminders and receive the same training and ongoing support to enable them to deliver quality childcare.'
Criticising the current tax credit system for restricting parents' choice and being too bureaucratic, the Tories said they would look at ways in which the childcare element of the working tax credit could be paid automatically in cash. Mr Howard also said he would extend that tax credit to childminders who care for their own children.
He promised flexible childcare arrangements with policies for women who work full-time, those who work part-time and those who stay at home. But he said it was 'uneconomic' to put all the costs on employers, because it affected small businesses and damaged women's employment prospects.
Despite initial reports that the Conservatives would increase maternity pay to 150 a week, Mr Howard's speech stopped short of announcing a figure.
Although he said he would keep the current statutory system of maternity and paternity leave, and the right to request flexible working, he said it would 'take a lot to persuade me of the need to go further'.
He also warned against over-regulation in the early years sector. 'Red tape and regulation must not be allowed to drive nurseries and playgroups out of business,' he said.
Judith Thompson, chair of the trustees of the Pre-School Learning Alliance, said she welcomed the two party leaders' remarks, but stressed a need for 'sustainable funding for early years and childcare provision and a strategic approach that builds on existing community provision in the private, public and voluntary sectors'.