Hello Harriet. I too have a childcare question. I understand that the government wishes for as many people to be at work as possible in order to aid the economy, however, many of their children attend daycare settings where they are being cared for by inexperienced, young staff that are only just out of childhood themselves. They are often paid pittance as a 'training salary' and the staff turnover is high. What concerns me is the effect this has on the children. They are, in effect, spending more time with the young staff than their own parents and, due to the high staff turnover, are being taught by way too many people. This leaves some of them confused lacking behaviour skills and lacking attention skills, however, I do acnowledge that there are some very good nurseries.
Is it not better for these children to have one stable person caring for them in a loving and nurturing environment? Mass childcare doesn't suit all children, yet the government would rather pay for these children to attend nurseries than give their parents some extra money so they can stay at home. Is this not counter productive? The government must be loosing money through the childcare system, why not just pay a parent to stay at home so they can nurture their child? Wrap around childcare does nothing to help the most important relationship that a child has, the one with it's parent. Even in a child's teenage years a parent's attention and time is so important yet children's welfare has always been on the back burner as the economy always comes first. Could the government do better? I think so, I would like you to tell me how.
I would also like to know how the government plans to tackle the inequality that women still face in this country? It is 2008 and women are still under-represented in the workforce, they are still paid less and still discriminated against. All of the legislative measures that have been put into place has done little to alter the attitudes towards women that have been in place for not just years or decades, but centuries.
I would like to see more provisions for children, teenagers and the elderly. More youth clubs for them to attend in the evenings and weekends to keep children and teenagers off the streets and to rebuild our communities.
The elderly would be able to utilise these during the day. As families move away from their extended families it is often the elderly members that suffer from the isolation and lonliness that is the result. What is the governments plan to support the members of our society that have aided our nation through world wars? That have spent many, many years of their life building our country, educating our children and caring for our sick? As a government you should be giving these people enough support so they can spend their retirement warm, fed and feeling valued. I don't see alot of this and am asking if there is something that the government can do.
I do have more but will quit nagging for now. I would be more than happy to take you for a coffee and a chat though