The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) said it wanted day nurseries to be 'recognised for the contribution they make to their communities and society as a whole, and not just as another sector of business'. The NDNA campaign, outlined in a policy paper, Childcare - A socially responsible business, will run throughout 2003 and includes a day conference in London early in the new year as well as training courses nationwide.
The campaign was launched in Westminster and attended by Stephen Timms, minister for corporate social responsibility. He said, 'The childcare sector is ideally placed to work within communities to develop strategies that are for the good of the community as well as children, parents and the economy.'
Mr Timms praised the NDNA for its 'pro-active approach to formalise and build on the vast amount of socially responsible working practices that are already embedded in day nurseries nationally'.
NDNA chief executive Rosemary Murphy said, 'Many nurseries already practise socially responsible business without realising it; many others would if they knew the business case and were inspired to commit to it.'
Stephen Burke, director of the Daycare Trust, welcomed the NDNA initiative.
'It raises the big issue for the Government of how it supports and promotes socially responsible business while responding to community need,' he said.
The NDNA policy paper states, 'If day nurseries are to realise their potential in delivering for children and families, then we need to re-examine the day nursery business model and how it fits into this Government's vision of childcare to 2010.'
The NDNA said it would help childcare providers to 'develop their own unique socially responsible practices'. These could include offering staff training and development and appropriate benefits; supporting quality and diversity in employment, delivery of services and in meeting the needs of families; investing in local communities; and waste management and recycling.
The NDNA said that providers should be given the tools to carry out their own social auditing. It plans to add optional modules to its existing Quality Counts accreditation scheme to promote social responsibility and show how it can be brought into the under-fives curriculum.
The policy paper is being sent to all NDNA members. It is also available by e-mailing info@ndna.org.uk.