Childcare: there is no substitute for loving parents

YOUR series on crèches (October 30/31) raised issues of concern to many parents. Because of high mortgages and tax equalisation, mums and dads have little choice but to go out to work.

As long ago as 1760 a Spanish bishop reported that many babies in foundling homes died of “sadness”.

In more recent times, in the 1930s, there was much research into the effects of maternal deprivation. Children in orphanages, foundling homes, psychiatric facilities, hospitals and those separated from their families throughout Europe because of war were studied by many eminent professionals. The emotional damage caused by early separation was found to be severe in all of these studies.