How private, voluntary and independent (PVI) providers work with local authorities - seek to influence them, gain access to funding and ensure their expertise to further the childcare strategy - has become a perennial issue for the early years sector.
Since the PVI sector accounts for 80 per cent of daycare provision, it seems well-placed to benefit from the new duties on local councils under the Childcare Act 2006 to ensure sufficient supply of childcare. But the problems of delivering affordability, quality and investment in a highly-trained workforce remain.
Few quibble with the overall size of the Government's financial commitment to early years, but there is deep concern about whether money handed to local authorities will reach childcare providers, or fall victim to other priorities.
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