11 Regeneration Agencies are increasingly likely to identify childcare as a key part of the local social and economic infrastructure. Government has finally identified childcare as a key element of welfare and economic policy. The result is that there is now a growing, and identifiable commitment to a strategic approach to the development of childcare which will assist families and communities in achieving realistic economic and social goals. There are a number of elements that any government's national childcare strategy might adopt. Without attendant training, employment and income policies childcare cannot change the way that women move in and out of the labour market when they enter into motherhood.
Many women wish to work part-time when their children are small.
But they often remain in such work for the rest of their lives - suffering from their short term exit from market. Developing childcare does not automatically change mothers' patterns of employment into the traditional male continuous pattern of employment. The only real way forward rests with an integrated and co-ordinated employment, training, income and childcare policy, led by government, but with clear regional structures and the involvement of employers and unions as well as local economic and social development agencies and parents. Enticing support for family friendly policies, and support for childcare, from employers who can presently recruit without concern for family responsibilities of employees will prove difficult. Developing good quality childcare and sound family friendly employment and training policies accessible to all families, in all types of communities will also prove difficult.