How private, voluntary and independent (PVI) providers work with local authorities - seek to influence them, gain access to funding and ensure their expertise to further the childcare strategy - has become a perennial issue for the early years sector. Since the PVI sector accounts for 80 per cent of daycare provision, it seems well-placed to benefit from the new duties on local councils under the Childcare Act 2006 to ensure sufficient supply of childcare. But the problems of delivering...