Labour say that the model could save parents on average £150 a year on chidcare.
Childcare centres are run successfully along these lines in Sweden and in some parts of the UK already and Stephen Twigg, shadow education secretary and chair of Labour’s Childcare Commission, is keen to see co-operative childcare expand.
Mr Twigg said that increasing the number of co-operative nurseries would cut the cost of childcare for parents, provide more flexibility for working parents and increase provision in communities where there is a shortage of nurseries.
Labour gives as successful examples, The Co-operative Childcare group of 47 nurseries and the outstanding Sunflowers Neighbourhood Nursery in Braunstone, Leicestershire, which received funding from the Co-operative Enterprise hub.
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