Budget 2012: baby steps for parents, but much more is needed

You know you have grown up when you know the date of the budget, the Chancellor’s name and that of the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Nowadays, I know all three! The budget is of interest to me for two main reasons. Firstly, what will it do to help parents better afford childcare, and secondly […]

Big society grants: plus ça change…

I have learned that if I am to truly avoid all contact with the world of work, then I need to go abroad without a phone or internet access.  To this end, I recently spent a lovely few days immersed in the renaissance art of Florence. On my return came the announcement that the Department […]

A Call to Arms: Save Our Children’s Centres

We are already halfway through January, having returned from a long break to the order and pattern that work gives us. We have cheerily greeted everyone with a Happy New Year, but will it be? As an optimistic person, I try to see challenges as opportunities, although at times this takes a huge leap of […]