group of low-income families accessing it, and providers will need a
flexible model to meet their needs.
For families in low-income employment, flexibility is usually more important than the offer of sessional care alone. There also needs to be the option to buy more time if they need it. There are many different models being developed for the delivery of two-year-old places - from standalone rooms, to groupings with three- and four-year-old rooms, to a middle ground that offers a base with opportunities for age-group integration.
Lark Hill Nursery School in Stockport shares a site with the primary school and a children's centre. The nursery offers 78 places for three- and four-year-olds, which include part-time provision with an option of paying for additional sessions for families who need more than the free entitlement. Last summer, it registered to deliver 16 places for two-year-olds in a room that was originally intended to be used as a dining/training room. The space is linked to the main three- and four-year-old provision and has direct access to the garden; and a new door has provided separate access.
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