quiz queen, the government doesn't subsidise child care. I wish it did. We arent living in the 1950's and 60's, life is very different now. Young women aren't brought up to expect to work till they marry, the become "housewives" or work for "pin money". the have careers, they're MP's, doctors as well working in supermarkets or as carers. MPs and doctors earn enough to pay for some child care, carers and supermarket workers just don't.
The scandi countries that subsidise good quality child care have better outcomes than we do in terms of criminality, teenage pregnancy, drug/alcohol abuse. Investment in early years bring huge benefits .