Just as the phrase economic downturn seems to be on everyone's lips, there are signs of an upturn in the fortunes of the day nursery sector, with Laing and Buisson's latest survey showing occupancy rising to 80 per cent for the first time in five years.
This statistic may seem to fly in the face of reality for some providers who have had to contend with oversupply, often resulting from government-backed provision, and have seen their numbers of children attending fall in recent years.
Paul Brosnan, managing director of London-based Casterbridge Care and Education, says that average occupancy at its 24 nurseries remains 'absolutely flat' at 69 per cent, with 1,317 full-time equivalent places filled out of a total of 1,920. He emphasises that it fluctuates according to the time of year and he is sceptical of the often optimistic public statements about occupancy emanating from some providers, believing that they may be exhibiting a certain bravado to keep their investors happy.
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