Government childcare policy needs to have greater emphasis on the quality of services instead of being regarded as a way of facilitating economic growth, Barnardos's new chief executive, Fergus Finlay, said yesterday.
Mr Finlay, in his first policy statement as head of the children's charity, warned that the social and economic impact of childcare was taking precedence over its effect on the lives of children.
He said a system of childcare was needed that included good-quality early-childhood care and education services which would have major benefits for children and their families.
"Childcare is seen as an important subject because of its impact on the economy, on the lives of working parents, on the issue of female participation in the economy and in the marketplace," he said.
"These are all worthy objectives, and good reasons for giving childcare the belated priority it deserves in public policy. But far too infrequently is childcare seen as an important subject, and a policy priority, because of its effects on the lives of children."
His comments come at a time when there is growing pressure on the Government to develop effective childcare policies in advance of the next general election.
The issue came into sharp focus following the mixed performance of the Government in the "commuter belt" byelections in Co Kildare and Co Meath last year.
Mr Finlay said there were social and economic benefits to be gained by putting the needs of the child at the centre of the Government's childcare policies.
"Research tells us that investment in high-quality and effective early-childhood services provides a worthwhile social and economic return to society, because they act to prevent school failure and build on the strengths of the family and community, as well as the child," he said.
He called for a co-ordinated approach to responding to the needs of young people, which would be most effectively developed through the development of a single Government department.
The current approach to childcare was "piecemeal" and tended to respond to the "perceived" demands of parents, rather than addressing more fundamental issues such as the quality of care.
He said: "The best possible model for early childhood provision would surely involve the development of a comprehensive, integrated and coherent service, concerned with meeting a wide range of needs among children and their parents - in particular, needs for learning, socialisation, care and support.
"There would be a range of services, offering parents choice. The system would be equally accessible to all children from birth to six and all parents."
Mr Finlay added that children with disabilities and other special needs should also have a right of access to the same services as other children, along with proper support.