Linda Findon, chair of Cygnet Education and Childcare trust, which runs two settings in Stratford-upon-Avon, said, 'The fall in demand for baby places has been a progressive trend. Over the summer our occupancy levels for September looked quite good, but three-quarters of the parents whose babies were booked to start in September have since deferred their start dates.
'I think it is partly due to the extension of maternity leave and partly because of the economic climate. I think a lot of mothers may not be returning to work fulltime or their husband or partner may not be working. However, we are optimistic that things will pick up once the economic climate improves.'
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