Launching its new information pack on childcare last week, the Irish Pre-School Playgroups Association called for more support structures for families. "Child-rearing is not the sole responsibility of parents. They need the support of the wider community to ensure that all children benefit from out-of-home care and education," the association said.

The information pack is a substantial and impressive guide to early childhood services, designed to help develop those services in communities nationwide. It includes a detailed account of the role of statutory bodies in childcare, legislation affecting childcare services, employer responsibilities regarding childcare and an overview of the various types of out-of-home care available. Funded by Area Development Managment, the pack is available from the IPPA, Spade Enterprise Centre, North King Street, Dublin 7 (tel: (01) 671 9245).