Nursery World - Health risks

Changes in the way that the National Health Service's childcare strategy is funded could threaten what has so far been a roaring success story. Simon Vevers investigates With 140 new nursery schemes in place, an extra 6,000 subsidised nursery places for NHS staff and more than 220 childcare co-ordinators in post to advise them, the 70m NHS childcare strategy looks on course to realise the targets set when it was launched in 2000. Yet doubts are looming about its continued success.

With 140 new nursery schemes in place, an extra 6,000 subsidised nursery places for NHS staff and more than 220 childcare co-ordinators in post to advise them, the 70m NHS childcare strategy looks on course to realise the targets set when it was launched in 2000. Yet doubts are looming about its continued success.

A recent impact analysis carried out by the Daycare Trust on behalf of the Department of Health found that more than 80 per cent of the parents surveyed said that the strategy had helped them.

Measuring its impact on recruitment and retention accurately has proved harder, but anecdotal evidence from case studies appears to show that it has helped Britain's biggest employer retain staff, enabled parents to return to work after maternity leave, reduced sickness and levels of absence and improved job satisfaction and morale.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included