Choice for Parents, the Best Start for Children - the ten year strategy for childcare (2004) and action plan (2006) - describes the government’s commitment to ensure available, affordable and high quality childcare for parents. It focuses on providers working with children and families in childcare, Sure Start Children’s Centres and extended schools.

It highlights the importance of good early learning and the impact this can have on a child’s achievement as well as the positive contribution of out of school activities. Play, culture and sport are all recognised as having an important contribution to make to children’s progress and attainment. The childcare strategy also reiterates the importance of having a suitably trained and qualified workforce.

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