Polly Toynbee states that when in power the Labour government introduced "free nurseries for three- and four-year-olds" (A strategy for growth must have childcare for all, 14 February). This was not quite the case. Under Labour's free early-years entitlement (as it became known) many pre-schools and day nurseries provided free childcare places. Unfortunately experience has shown that many of these places were provided at a loss due to underfunding from central government, a situation that continues under the coalition.
Childcare costs to parents in the UK are some of the highest in Europe. This month the Guardian reported that the Social Market Foundation was proposing a childcare loan scheme for parents that we believe would place some of the most disadvantaged families in our society in greater debt. The real solution is for the government to address inequitable funding levels for the free entitlement and a radical rethink on national finances. Attention should focus on making childcare affordable for all parents now. A starting point would be the reinstatement of the reduction in the childcare tax credit from 70% to 80% for those on lowest incomes.
If the government is serious about early intervention then it must develop comprehensive and inclusive early-years provision by investing more resources in order to continue raising quality and make childcare affordable to all. High-quality and sustainable childcare and education must be a right for every child now that the argument for social capital investment is beyond question.
Neil Leitch
Chief executive, Pre-school Learning Alliance