Letter: Love is the key to good childcare

Sir: Dr G A Butcher (letter, 28 October) accuses parents, particularly mothers, of abusing their children by leaving them with a child-minder or at a nursery whilst going to work.

My wife returned to work following the birth of our daughter. The worries and doubts she experienced were removed when upon leaving her at the child- minder she was waved off with a beaming smile and met with an equally beaming smile upon her return - which has continued over the 13 months since.

If the child knows it is loved by both parents and liked dearly by the child-minder, then this will produce a well-balanced child. Women have the right to return to work, and some have little choice, in order to provide for the child that they are supposed to be abusing.

DAVID HARMAN

Teddington, Middlesex