Nursery World - Doubts hang over future of NHS childcare

The NHS childcare strategy is facing an uncertain future, according to a report produced for the Department of Health, despite its proven benefits to NHS staff over the past four years. The report, NHS childcare strategy impact analysis, produced for the NHS by the Daycare Trust, said there was 'some uncertainty and concern' about the strategy's future after this April, when new arrangements will see childcare funded out of local NHS Primary Care Trust budgets. It warned that there was 'a real danger that with the switch to the new funding regime, the NHS childcare strategy will lose much of its momentum'.

The report, NHS childcare strategy impact analysis, produced for the NHS by the Daycare Trust, said there was 'some uncertainty and concern' about the strategy's future after this April, when new arrangements will see childcare funded out of local NHS Primary Care Trust budgets. It warned that there was 'a real danger that with the switch to the new funding regime, the NHS childcare strategy will lose much of its momentum'.

The report, which was published last week to coincide with the third NHS childcare conference in York, found that the strategy appeared to be achieving its aims. It was introduced in 2000 to support the provision of good-quality, affordable and accessible childcare for NHS staff.

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