Nursery World - Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative

The 300m Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative (NNI) aims to create 45,000 full daycare places in the bottom 20 per cent of the most deprived wards in England. Under the initiative, childcare providers receive some capital funding and three years' revenue funding covering, on a sliding scale, 50 per cent, 30 per cent and 10 per cent of costs incurred in providing the new places.

Under the initiative, childcare providers receive some capital funding and three years' revenue funding covering, on a sliding scale, 50 per cent, 30 per cent and 10 per cent of costs incurred in providing the new places.

Potential providers, fearful about what happens when the funding runs out, are tending to shy away from taking on new-build projects under the scheme and have gone instead for offering NNI places in existing settings.

Taking part in the scheme is Michael Ruaux, managing director of Crofters Park Nursery in Bolton. His 81,260 NNI grant will part fund a 530,000 extension to the 89-place nursery in a deprived part of the town, adding 50 NNI places to the nursery and services such as a sensory room and artist's workshop. He will also receive a total of 270,000 in revenue funding. For him, NNI offers an opportunity to 'promote wider social inclusion and provide more flexible models of childcare'.

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