News

New beginnings

Pre-schools across the country have been under pressure over recent years to transform themselves from sessional groups meeting a few mornings a week in draughty church halls to providers delivering full daycare in purpose-built centres. The rush to keep pace with the Government's plans to expand early years care and education and so combat child poverty by getting parents into work is relentless and Steve Alexander, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance (PLA), committed the organisation's members to an ambitious programme of further growth in a speech to their national conference in June.

The rush to keep pace with the Government's plans to expand early years care and education and so combat child poverty by getting parents into work is relentless and Steve Alexander, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance (PLA), committed the organisation's members to an ambitious programme of further growth in a speech to their national conference in June.

'The Pre-school Learning Alliance can help to deliver the Government's agenda,' he said. 'We have created nearly 30,000 new childcare places in the last three years. We are involved in more Sure Start projects than any other organisation. But, as the largest voluntary sector provider of early years care, we cannot afford to stand still.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Unlimited access to news and opinion

  • Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here