I WOULD like to try to explain, finally, about out of school clubs.

They are not about education. Where else can my daughter skateboard, scooter and play games with her friends? My garden is not big enough and her friends do not live near by.

Where else can children between five and 11 years old mix socially, be friends and care for each other? Communities these days have less children than in years past.

Regarding the "ten-hour day". This is not true. What has been and will be provided is care, and education, covering ten hours.

Very few, if any, at my daughter's club attend from 8am to 6pm, five days per week. My daughter attends three days, normally from 8am until school and from 3.15 to 4.30pm. So we still have time for each other.

Statistics show that few women with children under 11 work full-time - most work part-time, while still providing much-needed skills at work at all levels.

But more importantly the concept of extended care helps people provide for themselves. This means that single and widowed parents, male and female, can work, rather than relying on state benefits and family.

In response to Ms Elliott (Letters, June 27), I am not middle class, nor is my thinking, having attended local state schools. I do bother about the up-bringing of my daughter and for that reason believe that social interaction is better than isolation.

And it is because of my studies into social policy, looking at decades of women being dependent carers and treated as second-class citizens, that I support this policy.

Finally, ask any child that goes to a club how much they enjoy themselves.

Tracey Simpson-Laing,

Salisbury Road,

Leeman Road, York.

Updated: 09:49 Friday, July 08, 2005