The private nursery sector is facing uncertain times at the moment, in large part due to increasing competition from Government-funded childcare schemes and the Government's continuing lack of clarity about how they expect private providers to participate in the massive rollout of extended schools and children's centres. Adding to private providers' concerns has been the negative publicity stemming from the BBC1 doccumentary Nurseries Undercover. Against this background, we look at how nurseries can smarten up their marketing techniques to keep ahead of the competition (see page 18), and if profits are under pressure, we show you how to check that you're getting the best deal on offer from your bank (see page 21).
The private nursery sector is facing uncertain times at the moment, in large part due to increasing competition from Government-funded childcare schemes and the Government's continuing lack of clarity about how they expect private providers to participate in the massive rollout of extended schools and children's centres. Adding to private providers' concerns has been the negative publicity stemming from the BBC1 doccumentary Nurseries Undercover.
Against this background, we look at how nurseries can smarten up their marketing techniques to keep ahead of the competition (see page 18), and if profits are under pressure, we show you how to check that you're getting the best deal on offer from your bank (see page 21).
There are two major changes that nurseries will need to heed this autumn: an extension in access rights under the Disability Discrimination Act (see page 9) and further rises in the National Minimum Wage. For an insight in to sector pay and how the NMW is affecting salaries, see our pay survey in this week's issue of Nursery World.
However, despite nervousness among some providers, the case studies in our Starting a Nursery directory clearly demonstrate that there is still room for further expansion in the market, in some areas (see page 33). And if you're confident about the state of the market where you are, then see page 12, which shows how releasing money from your existing premises could be the best way to raise capital to expand your business.
