Nursery World - Editor's view (171)

As the nine to five working day becomes ever less common, the need grows for childcare in what used to be called unsocial hours. Evening work, night shifts, weekend work - parents who have little choice but to take jobs involving these patterns of work can really struggle to find childcare. So it's not surprising that some nurseries are looking to offer overnight care. The barrier so far in England has been the requirement to register as a children's home, although this will change under the new national daycare standards. In Scotland, where there is no such rule, a new 24-hour nursery, Harlequins, has just opened in Glasgow (see News, page 4).

So it's not surprising that some nurseries are looking to offer overnight care. The barrier so far in England has been the requirement to register as a children's home, although this will change under the new national daycare standards. In Scotland, where there is no such rule, a new 24-hour nursery, Harlequins, has just opened in Glasgow (see News, page 4).

With very careful regulation, 24-hour nurseries can no doubt offer a necessary safe haven for children whose parents have to work. But it's somehow hard to feel comfortable with the thought of little children away from the security of their own homes and beds at the time that they are at their most vulnerable.

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