The past year has seen a continuation of the never-ending stream of childcare initiatives - not least the Government's cross-cutting review, Delivering for children and families. This was probably the most definitive statement on childcare we have had, or are likely to have, for some time.
The review aims to double spending on childcare by 2005/06, with a further 250,000 childcare places by that year; to provide help to lower-and middle-income families through the new streamlined tax credit system to be introduced next April; and to set up children's centres in the 20 per cent most disadvantaged areas - although as yet there are no clear details on what form these will take or how they will be funded. The single inter-departmental unit planned by the review, which brings together responsibility for childcare, early years and Sure Start, was launched last month.
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