[Margaret Pilkington]

I think you are right Lettie and Romps.....but there are women out there who already feel guilty about leaving their children....be it with a childminder, family or nursery. These surveys pile on the guilt.....and remember some women DO believe what these surveys say.

Personally, I think mothers are the best ones to judge whether their child is happy in whatever care environment has been chosen, and surely if a mother thought that the care arrangements were detrimental to her baby wouldn't she find an alternative or give up her job...?

I sometimes think these surveys are done just for the sake of spending government money.......and I think that the government would be better advised to either ensure that there were enough effective child care places.....or failing that pay mothers to stay at home and look after children themselves.

On another note, I do think mothers that go out to work are more stimulated and from that point are more rounded people.