RADICAL ideas for providing childcare are to be explored by a new initiative between charities and business.

The Childcare Alliance has been launched by Children in Scotland, to identify a new model of childcare for Scotland. Those behind the body, which has the support of leading private and third sector organisations, say significant change is necessary.

Jackie Brock, chief executive of CiS explained: "We know current provision is inflexible, unaffordable and inaccessible for thousands of families.

"It is welcome that the issue has come to the forefront of political debate, but most of the discussion has centred around plans to extend subsidised childcare. It needs to go deeper than this."

A partnership on childcare reform will explore more flexible, innovative approaches and report back to the alliance in summer 2015.