Educationalist seeks greater focus on early learning

A leading educationalist has called for a shift in priorities in the ongoing debate over childcare and the amount of money it costs hard-pressed parents.

An opinion poll published this morning identified childcare as the third-biggest political issue for parents ahead of the next election.

However, responding to the poll, Professor Joyce O'Connor said the whole debate around the issue was focusing too much on basic baby-sitting services rather than more beneficial models.

"We have a real opportunity to make a major difference to our children's lives by switching the support to childhood learning rather than just simple child-minding services," she said.