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Budget provides 'welcome boost for childcare'

NEWS RELEASE

17 March 2004

Budget provides 'welcome boost for childcare'

The Pre-school Learning Alliance, the largest voluntary sector provider of pre-school education and childcare in England, today welcomed the Chancellor's commitment to investment in childcare and the recognition of the role that volunteers play in building a better society.

The Chancellor announced additional funding for Sure Start, early years and childcare of £669 million in 2007-08 compared to 2004-05, an average annual growth rate of 17.3 per cent. In addition, he pledged to open 1700 children's centres in the 20% most deprived areas by 2008 as part of the Government's vision to open a children's centre in every community.

Judith Thompson, Chair of the Pre-school Learning Alliance said:

"Today's Budget provides a welcome boost for childcare. The increased budget for Sure Start and the commitment to opening Children's Centres is encouraging. It is crucial that the voluntary and community sector plays an active role in the development of children's centres, so that the centres build on and do not replace existing early years provision and that they meet the needs of the communities they serve".

"I am also delighted by the acknowledgement that voluntary organisations are at the heart of British civic life. We estimate that over 100,000 people are employed in voluntary sector pre-schools, representing a substantial proportion of the total childcare workforce. Volunteers play a crucial role in delivering, supporting and managing early years services and I welcome the Chancellor's commitment to look at new resources to encourage volunteering".

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Andrew Fletcher
Pre-school Learning Alliance
T: 020 7833 0991
Out of hours press calls: 07979 531 130
E: Andrew Fletcher

Notes for Editors:

  1. The Pre-school Learning Alliance has 15,000 member pre-schools who look after 500,000 young children and their families in England every year. Registered as an educational charity, the Alliance is the national dimension of the pre-school movement. Its member pre-schools are based in the community and most are managed and run by parents, alongside trained staff.
  2. The charity recently launched the next phase of its changing lives changing life campaign, which seeks to give all children the best possible start in life. For more information visit www.pre-school.org.uk or call 020 7833 0991
  3. The charity is involved in more Sure Start projects than any other organisation and aims to open around 30 Neighbourhood Nurseries by the end of the year.
  4. Pre-school Learning Alliance members receive a regular magazine (Under Five) reflecting issues affecting the early years sector. If you would like to receive a copy of this please call 020 7833 0991.
  5. Further information and all press releases are available on the Pre-school Learning Alliance's website: www.pre-school.org.uk or email pressoffice@pre-school.org.uk
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