This book, now in a revised edition, is a political history of child care in Australia from the 1890s to the 1990s. Once provided by philanthropic groups and available only to those deemed underprivileged, child care has now become part of the mainstream political agenda. Deborah Brennan provides an in-depth analysis of policy developments in this significant area since the Commonwealth became involved in 1972. The revised edition provides a detailed analysis of the shifts in policy under Labor as well as an up-to-date account of developments under the Howard government since 1996.

‘In her welcome new book, Deborah Brennan gives a definitive account of the politics of childcare and how children’s services have developed over the past one hundred years. It is a good primer for those who want to act, a good read for the interested and a useful account of how women have worked to influence public policy.’

Eva Cox Source: The Age