By Emma Teitelbaum IT MAY have been the 'season of good will that prompted John Major to speak about the need to improve nursery education. But, like most New Year resolutions, this is unlikely to be carried out.
Once again women will suffer most from the Tories' false promises, and working women will be excluded from the Tory dream of a 'happy family'.
Nursery education can produce huge benefits in adult life. A recent long-term American study in Michigan showed that those who received good quality preschool education were four times more likely to earn well by the age of 27.
The Tories' verbal commitment to nursery education started in 1972. Education Secretary Margaret Thatcher said free nursery education would be available to 90 per cent of fouryear olds and 50 per cent of three-year olds within 10 years.
But the Tories have not delivered. A European commission study showed Britain behind all European Union countries except Portugal with only 26 per cent of children receiving nursery education.
A further 23 per cent are early entrants to reception classes in primary schools. Playgroups are used by half of the British under fives.
The four year olds who, enter Major: doing things for kids? primary education early, are often taught in crowded conditions, with one teacher for up to 35 children.
This way of 'doing it on the cheap' does not allow for the child's full development and future in the education system.
Most nurseries and playgroups, operate on a half day basis (2.5 hours).
In this way the local authorities increase the numbers in preschool education on their books, without spending more.
Parents have to supplement this provision with childminders, friends and extended family if they are to do even part-time work. Even if the child has a full time place in a school nursery it operates to school hours of 9am - 3.15pm.
Full day nursery provision is available for the two ends of the economic scale. Local authority nurseries are means-tested. With limited resources, most of the places are taken by children on the 'at risk' register.
Most work-place and private nurseries also operate from 8.00am to 6.00pm; but these cost hundreds of pounds each. month per child.
The government's latest proposal is to provide vouchers for nursery places. But unless resources allocated to full-time quality nursery education are increased, there will be no benefit to children and working parents.
Its another example of Tory hypocrisy and double standards. Single mothers who live on benefits are seen as a burden on the community. Working women are seen as taking men's jobs and possibly leaving their children 'home alone' The Tories' "back to basic family values' campaign is supplying a cover for the government's failure to make adequate childcare provision.
Bow Street magistrates
found three Lambeth Councillors, including Socialist Outlook supporter Greg Tucker, guilty of voting to defend jobs and services. Councillors Hollifield, Tucker and Webb were fined a total of £250 on Tuesday January 11 - for voting against council cuts whilst in poll tax arrears. From the dock the three denounced 'an outrageous attack on local democracy and a tax on principle'. Assemble 11am Spitalfields Market, East London March starts at 12 noon for rally at London Fields This will be the biggest anti-racist demonstration since the 1970s. It is being supported by all the main anti-racist and anti-fascist organisations, including ARA, YRE and ANL. Every socialist and 'This law is designed to punish those of us who helped defeat the poll tax. Poor people will be discouraged from standing for election. It is a disgraceful attack on democracy'.
A Fighting Fund has been set up to support the three and 20 others facing similar charges around the country. • Send donations made out to 'Campaign to Defend Local Democracy', to Clir Anne Hollifield, c/o Lambeth Town Hall, London SW9.
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SOCIALIST OUTLOOK No. 56, February 5 1994, Page 6
All out to back TUC demonstration I SATURDAY 19 MARCH
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