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NEWS RELEASE

8 July 2008

Pre-school Learning Alliance warmly welcomes £70 million new communities fund

The Pre-school Learning Alliance, England's largest voluntary sector provider of childcare and membership organisation representing 15,000 childcare providers, has warmly welcomed the announcement by Communities Secretary, Hazel Blears, of a £70 million funding programme to strengthen community organisations and social enterprises. The fund was announced in the white paper Communities in Control: Real People, Real Power.

Steve Alexander, Chief Executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance said

"As an organisation supporting pre-schools throughout England who are at the heart of their communities, the Alliance is heartened by the Government's commitment to supporting and developing local groups which bring people together and provide a focal point for community life.

Such investment and commitment is badly needed. Many voluntary sector organisations, particularly smaller grass-roots based ones, have been struggling to remain sustainable in the face of current challenges, including failure to obtain the full cost of delivering services, inconsistent commissioning practices and inability to access central government funding directly.

Yet many voluntary sector organisations have successful track records in providing vital community services and are uniquely placed to reach people that statutory bodies cannot and whom the market economy is failing to engage with. The role of the pre-school within the community goes far beyond care and education for children and support for families. Through volunteering, pre-schools offer opportunities for parents, especially women, to gain new skills and confidence which in turn can empower them to pursue training and education or take new career paths.

We look forward to monitoring the results of this funding on the ground to ensure that it brings the benefits it promises to deliver."

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Kate Summerside
Pre-school Learning Alliance
T: 020 7697 2502
Out of hours press calls: 07956 499621
E: Kate Summerside

Notes for Editors:

  1. The Pre-school Learning Alliance is the largest voluntary sector provider of quality affordable childcare and education in England.
  2. As part of the white paper Communities in Control: Real People, Real Power Communities Secretary Hazel Blears announced £70 million funding programme to strengthen community organisations and social enterprises. www.communities.gov.uk/communities/communityempowerment/communitiesincontrol
  3. Through direct provision and its membership of 15,000 nurseries, sessional pre-schools and parent and toddler groups, the Alliance supports over 800,000 children and their families in England. The Alliance also develops and runs family learning programmes, offers information and advice, runs acclaimed training and accreditation programmes and campaigns to influence early years policy and practice.
  4. For information about the Pre-school Learning Alliance, visit our website: www.pre-school.org.uk
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