When the Government launched its Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative, several large nursery chains expressed an interest in participating in the provision of subsidised childcare places in disadvantaged areas.
Some embraced the initiative, but most regarded the application process as bureaucratic and expensive and the future viability of neighbourhood nurseries, once Government funding ran out after three years, too precarious for them to sign on the dotted line.
However, with the Government launching an ambitious drive for 2,500 children's centres delivering integrated services by 2008 and plans to develop wraparound care in schools, nursery chains are showing renewed interest. But will the business marriage between private chains and public sector initiatives be more fully consummated this time around?
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