Volume 1: Things to read before going back to work

REPORTS

The NetMums survey of working mums: Highlights: 88% of mums working full time would rather work part time or stay at home with their children, and the great division between ‘housewives’ and ‘working mums’ is a media-created myth.

Department for Education and Skills reports: Highlights: Children who have care outside the home are intellectually ahead of those who don't, although they can have worse behaviour. Preschool has a positive impact on test scores up to the age of 16.

Daycare Trust Survey on childcare costs Highlights: In 2006, they found that full-time childcare costs between £7,000 amd £21,000 per year. Their hotline offers free information and advice.

The Impact of Working Mums on Children's Early Learning (PDF Link) Highlights: Paul Gregg's research found "Employment begun later than eighteen months and part-time work undertaken at any time has no negative effects." There's a BBC Q&A with Paul Gregg here.

USEFUL INFORMATION AND ORGANISATIONS

Childcare Link: Government-backed website points you in the direction of the different types of childcare and early education in your area. The site is a bit clunky and not fully comprehensive, but it's probably a good place to start.

Working Families: Useful site with factsheets about flexible working, maternity rights and childcare options.

COMMENT

Turbo Mums Don't Work: 'Perfect stay-at-home mothers are producing a generation of useless monsters', says Daisy Waugh.

Are working mums as bad as junk food? Rachel Johnson, (now at The Times) wonders why mums who work are branded the chief well-poisoners of modern society.

The government has killed family life argues Lifelong Labour supporter Maureen Freely. "I feared that the people at the top were interested in families only because they saw in them a source of cheap labour. No, let me correct that. A source of unpaid labour. Slave labour."

And finally... Here is a rant from the Daily Mail, arguing, among other things, that housework helps your children's grades: "The study of 3,400 volunteers over 25 years found that the length of time a child stayed in education and their future earnings was directly linked to the hygiene in their homes."

If you've seen better research, found handy links or read more interesting comment, please post the links in the comments.