Neighbourhood Nursery Initiatives in some of the most deprived areas may struggle to stay afloat, according to new research. But it also states that the initiative has made a positive difference to some of the worst-off families.
Evaluations of the Neighbourhood Nursery Initiative by the National Centre for Social Research and the University of Oxford found sustainability was a concern.
The research said nurseries most a risk of future funding problems were in places where wages are low and there was no tradition of employment for parents with young children.
"These nurseries set up in the depths of disadvantaged areas are having serious problems in terms of numbers and viability," said Rosemary Murphy, chief executive of the National Day Nurseries Association.
