Opinion: Editor's View

Bureaucracy has always been a major headache for childcare providers, and many nursery managers and childminders put in extra hours trying to keep on top of paperwork.

Nursery vouchers provided by employers have been a significant contributor to the problem, with settings complaining about complex procedures, lack of information to identify which children the payments relate to, poor communication and the sheer numbers of different voucher companies.

Some systems are better than others, of course, and some companies are making great efforts to enhance their service. But the nursery voucher business has grown hugely in recent years, and this is likely to continue as vouchers offer an inexpensive way for cash-strapped companies to reward staff. Yet there has been no regulation and no industry standards to give some consistency and quality expectation for a service offered by more than 35 companies.

So providers can breathe a sigh of relief that three of the largest voucher firms are joining forces to launch a consultation with the aim of putting minimum industry-wide standards in place (see News, page 4).

Although any code of practice would be voluntary, it would be independently audited and would at least be a benchmark for customers and service providers alike. And amid fears about the sustainability of companies in every sector, it could protect the voucher money in the event of a company going under.

The voucher businesses have made a lot of profit from the rapid expansion of vouchers, so it is heartening that parents and providers will reap some benefit too. And perhaps nursery managers will be able to burn a little less midnight oil!