Its new manifesto, 'Creating new solutions', argues that while start-up funding for new childcare provision is important, ensuring ongoing sustainability is what is vital to success.
4Children cites DfESstatistics that show that more than half of the 920,000 new childcare places created since 1997 have closed.
Social enterprise businesses, which reinvest profits back into childcare businesses and benefit the local community, could provide the answer. A social enterprise approach, the charity argues, can help local authorities meet their childcare targets, support services in deprived areas and fully involve the local community and local resources.
Philippa Thompson, director of development at 4Children, said, 'In order for providers to become sustainable, they must become more savvy about the challenges of social enterprise.'
The manifesto highlights the key principles of social enterprise, how to use sound business practices to ensure sustainability, and how local authorities can offer support by encouraging clusters of childcare providers to share their expertise and best practice.
Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, said, 'We recognise that many childcare entities, especially in the out-of-school field, already operate more or less as social enterprises. The manifesto defines this model and offers the support that social enterprises need in terms of business management. We also want to encourage local authorities to recognise that social enterprises are valid ways of providing services and meeting community needs.'
For copies of the manifesto contact yomi.bashorun@4children.org.uk.
