Ms Paula Hilliard:

It is a twofold issue. With the payment for parents, as an ECCE scheme service, it will not affect me. It will not make any changes for me. What will affect me is the non-contact time, and that is very welcome. More would be preferable but it is a step in the right direction. That will benefit me.

As regards the strategy, this is the first year that I, as a service provider, have felt helpless and at breaking point, not knowing where to turn and what to do. A strategy would help me because it would give me hope. It would give me focus. It would let me see the future, which I cannot see right now.