Shadow education secretary David Willetts said the Government has notsaid if it is backing parents into work, or focusing on early yearseducation.
He said: "The very expression childcare creates confusion - is itchildcare to look after kids while the parents are out at work? Or doesit mean something different?"
Keith Faulkner, managing director of Working Links, said: "I don't thinkthese two goals are mutually exclusive. Addressing purely cognitivedevelopment is a 'slow burn' return from the Chancellor's point of view.Focusing on employment has a better return."
Ed Balls, economic secretary at the Treasury, said the Government aimedto give parents a choice: "It's vital they have the confidence topositively affect their child's development."
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