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Pre-school Learning Alliance welcomes Government announcement of a free nursery place for every two year old but cautions further investment needed for its success

NEWS RELEASE

22 September 2008

Pre-school Learning Alliance welcomes Government announcement of a free nursery place for every two year old but cautions further investment needed for its success

Steve Alexander, Chief Executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, England's largest voluntary sector provider of childcare said,

"The Alliance welcomes the measure announced by Gordon Brown which gives further evidence of this government's commitment to intervention in the early years and recognition of childcare's potential to transform life opportunities and chances.

While we welcome the announcement, the Alliance urges the government to support this measure with funding. Our belief is that that well-resourced, stable and long-lasting childcare will only become a reality with further government investment in the form of a supply side subsidy.

The implementation of the laudable free entitlement, a set amount for free childcare sessions for three and four year olds made available by the Government and delivered by Local Authorities, has caused many problems, particularly for full day care nurseries, as they strive to provide the free sessions and meet their running costs.

Steps are currently underway to address the problems faced by providers. Our concern is that another intervention, unrealistically costed, will place further strain on nurseries already doing all they can, yet struggling, to provide quality childcare at rates that parents can afford. The issue of subsidy and investment is particularly pertinent for full daycare nurseries operating in areas of disadvantage where take up of places is lower and where many parents are solely using the free entitlement.

Providers can't take any more strain on their operating costs and parents cannot afford to pay more than the relatively high fees they are paying already. The Alliance has been working closely with government to highlight issues providers face and they have shown that they are willing to listen. We will therefore continue to lobby and work with government to ensure that quality universal childcare receives the ongoing considerable investment which is so badly needed."

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. 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.
  3. For information about the Pre-school Learning Alliance, visit our website: www.pre-school.org.uk
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