With threatened funding cuts adding to the on-going recession woes, it's a tricky financial time for many.
Thankfully, slow and steady seems to be the key in the early years sector as chains are continuing to think positively and add new settings to their portfolios. Many are opting for growth through acquisition (pages 9-10) rather than embarking on more costly start-ups.
This year, our League Table on page 19 is bigger and ranks the 25 largest groups in the UK and Ireland and, as ever, the directory (see page 23) lists all the nursery chains currently known to Nursery World. We've profiled five of the new entries (pages 4-6) who all share great optimism for the future, with many reporting that nursery places are more in demand because both parents are deciding to work.
A look through the directory is always intriguing, with many quirky and eye-catching names springing out from the listings. But what do these names convey to parents about the business? We talk to a branding expert on page 12 to find out what is in a name.
While the League Table highlights size, we also look at quality. Ensuring that best practice is shared across the nurseries in a group is essential for maintaining high standards. We find out how nursery chains keep the lines of communication open between all their settings (pages 16-17), from nursery swaps to blogging. How to keep children, staff and the nursery buildings safe is also an important consideration. While some chains are opting for a high-tech solution, others prefer to keep it simple. The options are weighed up on page 14.
With the coalition Government steadily bedding in, new groups and regulars alike are keen to see what the future holds for the early years sector.
