'Overhaul' of childcare sector needed- says Norfolk maternity campaigner
Ministers are promising they'll deliver an extra 6-thousand childcare places to meet demand in deprived areas
A local maternity rights campaigner tells us the childcare sector needs a wider overhaul to be effective.
It's as over 300 schools in England are getting money to build on-site nurseries. With money also being set aside to expand existing premises.
An extra 6-thousand childcare places are expected to help meet higher demand for provision in more deprived areas.
There's also extra money for sites to expand existing nurseries.
"We're seeing settings close and that reduces capacity further"
Rebecca Wright lives in Poringland and is a mum of one:
"It's really important for people to understand that this isn't just an issue for people returning to work and getting the support they need.
"It's availability and the provision around it has wider implications on the economy, which in turn affects all of us.
"The reality is that the sector still needs a much bigger more overhaul to be sustainable. At the moment many nurseries are operating on tight margins and the funding doesn't necessarily match the real cost.
"As a consequences of that we're seeing settings close and that reduces capacity further".
The Government says their efforts are part of a 'seismic shift' in support for families.