When we reflect upon the investment in and reforms to childcare and early years over the past ten years, I'm sure you will agree that the sector has been completely transformed. Around £4bn was spent on under-fives in 2007/08, up from around £1bn in 1997, and more than 3,100 Children's Centres have opened, providing services for almost 2.4 million children and their families.
Unfortunately, the recent spate of stories in the national media has not reflected these vast improvements and has led to widespread confusion about the sector on the whole.
I wish to take this opportunity to discuss the three biggest areas of concern: childcare vouchers, the Early Years Single Funding Formula, and reciprocal childcare. These issues have been widely debated by Nursery World readers, and from recent conferences and visits I know they are at the forefront of your concerns.
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