http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-22782690
Quote:
Plans to allow nurseries and childminders in England to look after more children are being dropped, Nick Clegg has said.
The deputy prime minister telephoned leaders in the childcare sector this morning and told them the plans were "dead in the water".
The government had previously said the changes would increase childcare places and quality and cut costs.
But critics said care quality would suffer.
The changes, which were due to come in this autumn, would have allowed an increase in the ratio of children to carers, as long as carers' qualifications met new standards.
A statement from Nick Clegg's office says: "After lengthy discussions both inside of government and outside with stakeholders, the deputy prime minister has today confirmed that the changes to ratios for pre-school children that were consulted on earlier in the year will not go ahead."
Mr Clegg is quoted as saying: "When you are talking about something this important to parents, I think it is imperative to be led by the evidence - which is overwhelmingly against changing the rules on ratios.
"The proposals to increase ratios were put out to consultation and were roundly criticised by parents, providers and experts alike. Most importantly, there is no real evidence that increasing ratios will reduce the cost of childcare for families.
"The argument that this will help families with their weekly childcare bill simply does not stack up.
"I cannot ask parents to accept such a controversial change with no real guarantee it will save them money - in fact it could cost them more."
"I have concluded that, because it will not reduce costs for parents or increase the quality of childcare, the proposed ratio changes for pre-school children cannot proceed."
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Another coalition Big Idea abandoned .....
