The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said co-operative social enterprise models for childcare - where businesses are run by employees, parents or local communities - could be more effective in retaining staff by providing better pay and conditions and greater employee participation in decision-making.
The IPPR report, Co-operative Social Enterprise and its Potential in Public Service Delivery, said delivery of the ten-year childcare strategy may see women who have previously provided 'informal' care moving into the paid labour market and 'the state purchasing places on behalf of citizens from a range of providers'.
It added, 'This would mean the Government having greater influence over prices than it currently has, with possible implications for the level of surpluses and profits that are achieved. This may discourage the private sector and create space for social enterprise, where there is not the pressure to deliver profits for shareholders.'
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