Most pre-schools and playgroups in England are having difficulties in expanding their provision due to a lack of facilities and limited funding, says the Pre-school Learning Alliance.
A survey of the 16,000 pre-schools affiliated to the Alliance found that more than eight in ten (82.5 per cent) do not own their own premises and almost three-quarters (72.6 per cent) are not the sole user of their pre-school rooms and have to share facilities. Although a quarter of pre-schools have expanded their provision over the past 12 months, 84.7 per cent currently have a waiting list for places.
The Alliance said many pre-schools were keen to expand but their premises and financial restraints prevented it. Alliance chief executive Margaret Lochrie said, 'If pre-schools are going to increase the length of their working day or widen access to more children, then they need to move into schools where they would have permanent buildings and security of tenure.
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