Well done to your daughter and her friend Smudgely. It must be so confusing for a small child going into a new environment . . . at least (thank God) Dominik will be entering reception amongst children and surroundings he has known for 2 years, but for a 'newbie' 4-year-old; scary indeed
BC - yes to a certain extent govt is to blame, but mostly people in this country will not coutenance a 30% + rate of taxation which would make it possible for parents to work shorter hours or for more acceptable kinds of out of school care to exist. This is a cheapskate country. Look at the hoards that shop in low cost retail environments to the detriment of UK farmers, manufacturers and even the other, corner shop retailers that they all profess to love so much but who they are helping to drive out of business!!!
You get what you pay for - fact!!