Although low occupancy levels continue to be of concern for some nurseries, there appears to be a revival in fortunes with new openings for the larger chains.
By the end of this month, Places for Children, a not-for-profit company with social objectives, will have 12 nurseries open offering 775 childcare places.
Since the winter issue of Nursery Chains (November 2006) the group has added seven more settings and 250 childcare places.
Two nurseries are partnerships with children's centres in Barking and Dagenham, Essex, and another is a 49-place children's centre in Hounslow, Middlesex.
Managing director Carol Jenkins said, 'The reason we've chosen management contracts rather than organic growth alone is that it reduces the risk for us in building up the company.'
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