School governors are now able to provide childcare services and charge for them, or make contracts with other providers to offer childcare in their school grounds following the Education Act 2002 that was passed last September. The Government intends schools to act as a resource for the whole community and offer integrated services such as childcare, healthcare and adult education.
But does this offer a golden opportunity for private providers to expand businesses and form partnerships, or is there a threat from the maintained sector?
For Ross and Alison Midgley of Crocus Early Years Centre, the answer is most definitely opportunity. They opened a 60-place nursery in the grounds of Saffron Walden County High School in Essex in January last year and have plans to open a second in school grounds.
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