Nursery World - 'Profit motive marrs private care quality'

The quality of childcare in the private daycare sector is a 'real concern' that is not being acknowledged by the Government, a leading academic warned last week.

that is not being acknowledged by the Government, a leading academic warned last week.

Speaking at the launch of a new pamphlet, Family Fortunes - the new politics of childhood, published by the Fabian Society left-of-centre think-tank, Dr Helen Penn of the University of East London told Nursery World that 'in the need to make a profit, the temptation is to cut corners'.

She said, 'Private operators have to make a profit - so they cut corners on staffing - and the standards are not rigorous enough on outdoor play and the qualifications of staff.

'Childcare and early education cannot be treated as market enterprises like other businesses. In order to be free of the constraints, private providers have to charge more or ask for higher subsidies. Then it does not become viable for them.'

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