The shortage of money in the children's centre system is becoming more apparent as Phase 2 proceeds. Last week, we reported on the slashing of budgets uncovered by VCS Engage, with the consequences for the voluntary and community sector (News, 1 November). This week, you can read about how Stoke-on-Trent is looking for private providers to take over the expensive and under-used daycare in its children's centres (News, page 3).
In the case of Stoke, woeful performance by the council's children's services has no doubt contributed to the chaos and its decision to offload the daycare provision. But the whole system seems to be creaking!
And so the private and voluntary sectors, which lobbied for the right to involvement, which have been promised involvement, are getting involvement - but what a poisoned chalice that could turn out to be.
Voluntary organisations are expecting to be commissioned to run Phase 3 centres, but on budgets that will barely cover staff costs. Private nurseries in Stoke could be offered 'generous incentives' to sell their freehold properties and move their business into a children's centre. The incentives would have to be generous indeed for this to be seen as a viable option. It is ironic that one correspondent on our Letters page this week (see page 15) complains about the lavish amounts of money being handed out to Sure Start centres while her Sure Start children get nothing.
One thing is sure. The children's centre programme cannot run on permanent subsidies from the PVI sectors.
