Child care reforms slammed

Child care reforms slammed

Government proposals to cut staff-child ratios for pre-school children have been slammed by MEP Paul Nuttall.

“I firmly believe that class sizes in nurseries and pre-school groups should remain as they are and not to be relaxed. Yes, childcare is expensive beyond belief but I suspect that altering the ratio will not produce the expected cost cuts.

“There is nothing more precious than the life of a child and parents expect, and deserve, the very best care and nurture of their off spring when entrusted to carers,” said Mr Nuttall, local UKIP Euro-MP.

“Every parent knows how you need eyes in the back of your head to look after just one toddler and increasing the ratio from 1:4 to 1:6 for two-year-olds is just asking for trouble in my opinion.

“The government is hell-bent on encouraging women back to work and if they do so they must feel secure in the knowledge that their children are in the very best possible hands,” said Mr Nuttall, UKIP Deputy Leader.

A row has broken out over the plans after Nick Clegg changed his mind about supporting them.

“We have all seen plans in the past rushed through without all the implications being properly assessed and in this case I believe the proposed reforms will not cure the evil they are designed to address,” said Mr Nuttall.