The move is a response to the ten-year childcare strategy, which gave greater autonomy to local councils and a responsibility and budget for the sustainability of childcare settings.
The Sure Start Unit awarded Sheffield-based A4e the contract to deliver workshop-based training under the 'Business Success for Childcare'
programme in 2003. It was renewed and due to end on 31 March this year, but has now been extended until the end of June to smooth the transition for local authorities. More than 100 training sessions will run during this time.
By the end of June, more than 30,000 early years and childcare practitioners will have taken part in 2,000 workshops.
Local authorities will now be able to fund providers' places on the A4e programme using their general Sure Start grant and negotiate childcare courses tailored to their needs.
Business training modules include interactive workshops on building and managing teams, working with parents, marketing, managing information for voluntary and community settings, managing change and building a sustainable business.
A spokesman for A4e confirmed that six local authorities have already signed up for the workshops, including Sunderland City Council.
Workshops will continue to be offered at evenings and weekends, as this flexibility was part of their appeal.