Childcare chiefs in Colchester have warned the profession is "haemorrhaging".
Slipping standards - Adele Rand and Jen Collett, of Colchester Kids' Clubs, have hit out at Tony Blair's childcare plans
They say low pay and a shortage of qualified carers stand in the way of Tony Blair delivering on pledges made last week.
They fear standards will be "diluted" after the Prime Minister promised parents affordable primary school-based childcare from dawn until dusk.
The announcement was part of the Government's plan to provide revolutionary out-of-hours childcare.
But Jen Collett, manager of Colchester Kids' Clubs, said: "If they're talking about having childcare in every school, they won't be able to do it.
"Standards would be diluted, with 30 kids stuck in a classroom with one assistant.
"That is the only way they could do it on the cheap. There would not be the quality. We have trained staff looking after no more than eight."
She believed the Government should plough money into existing childcare provision.
The Prime Minister said he wants to make 'latch-key kids' a thing of the past.
He said in the future working parents will be able to leave their children at school in the early mornings, after school and during holidays.
Published Monday, November 15, 2004
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