Nursery World - Flexible friends

Nurseries that offer more flexible childcare options are winning the loyalty of parents and staying ahead of the competition, says Judith Barratt. On page 13 we examine how to boost occupancy Too few children for too many places: solving the problem of under-occupancy is now a priority for an increasing number of private providers.

Too few children for too many places: solving the problem of under-occupancy is now a priority for an increasing number of private providers.

Competition from state-funded childcare initiatives, an overall drop in the number of children of nursery age, and parents choosing to work fewer or more flexible hours are all contributing to the over-supply of day nursery places.

The fall in occupancy rates isn't yet catastrophic: from 89 per cent in 2002 it has now dropped to 83 per cent nationally, according to Laing & Buisson.

'The problem is still not widespread,' says Philip Blackburn, economist with Laing & Buisson, 'but substantially lower rates are being experienced in some areas of the country.'

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