Nursery World - Editor's View (25)

There's no doubt that falling occupancy levels and escalating competition from Government-funded children's centres have put a damper on expansion among the UK's largest private nursery groups (see League table, page 21). However, the private sector will be needed if the Ten-Year Childcare Strategy is to keep its promises, and the extended schools programme is one area of opportunity. In 'After hours' (pages 4-5), we look at how chains are providing out-of-school care at local authority schools.

However, the private sector will be needed if the Ten-Year Childcare Strategy is to keep its promises, and the extended schools programme is one area of opportunity. In 'After hours' (pages 4-5), we look at how chains are providing out-of-school care at local authority schools.

Quality is still the most important factor for success, and some groups are keeping ahead on best practice for the curriculum by planning to meet the needs of individual children rather than imposing a central, rigid system (pages 10-11).

And with the drive for children's workforce reform getting under way, the need to recruit, train and retain good staff is always pressing.

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