The protests about the introduction of the nursery education grant Code of Practice are gathering force, particularly in Kent, where nursery and pre-school owners are holding meetings, alerting the press and writing impassioned letters to council officials, MPs and ministers (see News, page 4 and Letters, page 31). It's heartening to see these providers joining together and making their feelings known in such a direct manner. For the past few years, the private and voluntary sector has worried about its future, faced with the lack of a level playing field, competition from state settings and lack of involvement with local authorities in some areas. However, there has been no sense of a concerted effort to really make their voices heard. There is a sense of momentum growing over this issue, and it will be interesting to see where it leads.
The protests about the introduction of the nursery education grant Code of Practice are gathering force, particularly in Kent, where nursery and pre-school owners are holding meetings, alerting the press and writing impassioned letters to council officials, MPs and ministers (see News, page 4 and Letters, page 31).
It's heartening to see these providers joining together and making their feelings known in such a direct manner. For the past few years, the private and voluntary sector has worried about its future, faced with the lack of a level playing field, competition from state settings and lack of involvement with local authorities in some areas. However, there has been no sense of a concerted effort to really make their voices heard. There is a sense of momentum growing over this issue, and it will be interesting to see where it leads.
A quick reminder that the closing date is approaching for this year's Nursery World Nursery of the Year Award, sponsored by Morton Michel Insurance. Make sure that you get your entries off to us for your chance to win the kudos of being the best full daycare setting around, plus some wonderful prizes from Community Playthings. You can download an entry form from www.nurseryworld.co.uk.
