I write in response to 'Who needs nursery?' (Letters, 16 March). The letter writer believes that children should only be in nursery care at around the age of three. Why? Is this because the writer is experienced in all aspects of the challenges that face today's families?
For some families there simply is not the choice to remain at home until their child is three, because their lifestyle simply won't allow it, even with sacrifices made.
Family life has changed since our childhoods and we need to accept that.
Many of today's working patterns and family units are completely different to what our parents and grandparents experienced; for them it was quite often that the extended family took on the role of nurseries today - childcare.
Part of acceptance is moving forward and continuously improving our childcare provision so that parents who do not have the choice to remain at home are able to access a childcare setting that they are happy to leave their child in.
As we all know, one size does not fit all. This is the same for childcare settings, no matter what their Ofsted report states.
The writer explains that they have worked in early education for ten years.
If this is the case, then they should keep their personal opinions to themselves, respect parental choice, and leave parents to exercise their rights as their child's main care provider.
The only way forward is to allow parental choice and offer high-quality childcare settings to those who wish to use them for whatever reason.
* Judith Baxter, manager, St Mary's Nursery, Hexham, Northumberland
