Research published by the National Day Nurseries Association found thathalf of nurseries surveyed said their local authority was creating achildren's centre nearby. The creation of new government-fundedchildcare has led to falling occupancy rates, a problem compounded bymore childcare in schools, it warned.
The report was published on Monday, 28 November, as the Childcare Billwas due for its second reading in Parliament. The association said theBill, which encourages partnership work, would help to halt the trendbut points out that many local authorities will embark on children'scentre projects before the legislation is passed.
A spokeswoman for the association said there was wide variety in the waycouncils were interpreting existing guidance. "While some are workingvery well with the private and voluntary sector, a lot of them aren't,"she said.
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