Editor's view

The troublesome introduction of the new code of practice on the nursery education grant seems to have reached a messy deadlock, with private and voluntary providers continuing to protest, the Government refusing to budge, and some local authorities avoiding the issue by delaying sending out new protocols. So when top-rated inner London council Camden warns that nearly half of its funded places could be at risk if no top-up fees are allowed, it is to be hoped that the powers-that-be listen (see News, page 4). Camden's recent meeting on the nursery education grant had an impressive list of high-level attendees from other London boroughs, the DfES, the Treasury, nursery providers and childcare organisations. It had commissioned a report into the development of the flexible offer of nursery education places, which makes sobering reading. The vast majority of PVI providers could not provide places free at the point of delivery and none were happy to offer flexible hours when the offer rises to 15 hours a week. The majority of providers had not read the new NEG guidelines, even though half had signed up to them, and therefore did not really understand their implications for their business and sustainability.