CHILDRENS SERVICES AND CARE - A RURAL VIEW

Increasing attention is being given to the provision of services for y oung children. This paper draws on original research to explore the di fferential use and impact of such children's services and care in an e xplicitly rural context. The picture it draws of family life and servi ce use in three contrasting areas of Devon has policy implications whi ch extend beyond the county to other rural localities. Indeed, the fac t that early years' provision is considered in the context of families ' needs means that the implications extend beyond future services for children, including the present focus on pre-school education, into su ch areas as welfare policies, community development and employment. A specific policy context is given by the Children Act, which gave the i mpetus to this research, and the Nursery Voucher Scheme which is curre ntly high on the agenda of many service providers and politicians. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.