But now that childcare is finally getting the political and policy-making attention it deserves, the gap between rhetoric and reality seems greater than ever. It is becoming increasingly hard to associate the celebrations in Westminster with the realities for parents in Warrington, Winchester or Wigan. Despite all the efforts of recent years, good-quality childcare at a price that parents can afford is still in short supply. Try telling parents that the Government is on course to deliver universal, high-quality, affordable childcare in 10 years' time. It's not much use to them.
Nowhere is the gap between rhetoric and reality more gaping than in relation to children with disabilities. No surprise then that the most vociferous campaigners bending the ear of former Treasury Advisor Ed Balls at the Daycare Trust's annual lecture earlier this month were those speaking up for the needs of disabled children.
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