The enormous expansion in the early years sector has seen more and more settings being developed from modular buildings rather than constructed out of traditional bricks and mortar.
Budget and time constraints have been major influences in persuading people to consider an alternative to masonry.
At the same time, design developments in pre-fabricated timber-frame and steel buildings mean they have become a much more attractive proposition.
Roselands Community Nursery and Playschool
Roselands Community Nursery and Playschool in Paignton, Devon is a timber-frame nursery designed and project-managed by the Timber Team with the building imported in kit form from Deck House, a leading American timber-frame manufacturer.
'It was a 20-week building programme,' says manager Julie Morey.
'Previously we were a term-time only pre-school in rented accommodation. We saw the need to expand and offer full daycare to a wider age range of children, as we were only serving the three to five age range.
'We saw the Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative as a way forward and put in a bid for money - and got it. We knew we had to get the building up quickly because the NNI initiative had a time limit. Originally, the DfES and EYDCP were saying that the buildings had to be finished by January 2004, although that was extended to March.
'Obviously we had to go through planning. This is a residential area overlooking the sea, and we had to consider our neighbours and make sure we didn't spoil their views.
'The building's design was really important to us. We didn't want a glorified box: we were looking for something different that worked with the local environment, that would withstand the extreme weather conditions we get here, would be a good building for the children and that would work inside as well as out.
'The outside is painted weather boarding, which makes it look like a traditional build, but with the added features of floor-to-ceiling windows and double doors to bring the outside in.
'We could not afford a traditional build. This cost us about half what we would have had to pay for a traditional build.
'We looked at some of the modular buildings, which were about the same price as this but did not have the individuality we wanted. They tended to have British Standard windows, which are often small and set high so while adults can see out the children cannot.
'It was a fixed price contract, coming to a total cost of 364,216.
Out of that we had to get the building and kit out the nursery. We knew there would be no hidden extras.
'The builders offered two systems. We opted for a big open space indoors, and they said we could put the walls wherever we wanted.
'We looked at it from an Ofsted point of view and the child:staff ratios, then worked out where we wanted the walls to give us the room space we need. We are looking to become a family centre and will be able to add that on to the building - you can extend or move things to make extra rooms.
They can also fit concertina doors so you can close a big room.
'The longevity of the building was a very important aspect for us. We did not want something with a life of only 10 years or so. The Timber Team says the design life is 100 years. These buildings come from Boston where they experience extremes of weather: bitter cold, very hot summers, and storms.
'We have a fire certificate and the building is painted with fire-retardant paints. We insure through the Pre-School Learning Alliance using the Royal Sun Alliance.
'We have been approached by other nurseries that have gone for a timber-frame building and then come unstuck because they couldn't find anyone to insure them. So we have passed on our information to them.
'We now want to pass on our experience to other professionals. We are forming a consultancy to show people how they can fast-track through the process.'
Whizzkids Community Nursery
Whizzkids Community Nursery, Tyesley, Birmingham, is a modular building from Securaccom.
'We have been in this building for four years and it is has stood up to the wear and tear well,' says manager Penny Lugg.
'Obviously as with any building you must do your maintenance, but it has done extremely well. It is an ideal building for the children and for us.
New parents coming round often do not realise it is a modular building.
'There is a timber exterior and it is very light and airy. There are lovely low-level windows so the children can see out. I wouldn't think about going for any other type of building.
'We were able to stipulate exactly what we wanted, so we had it purpose built to suit our requirements. This type of building does not have to be all square and boxy - ours is L-shaped. But you can design it so the building goes off at angles.
'Of course it was much cheaper than a traditional build, and much quicker.
We have planning permission for 20 years.
'It is not particularly expensive to run. It is all-electric. We have mounted wall heaters that blow hot in the winters and cold air in the summer. I would do it again with no hesitation.'
Newstead Children's Centre
Newstead Children's Centre in Nottingham is a timber-frame, T-shaped building with a brick skin and pitch roof designed by Surrey-based architects Vickery Leitch.
It is very light and airy, with the community area at the front of the building and the nursery at the back.
'Speed and cost were the bottom-line,' says architect David Vickery. 'Once the design was in place we looked for systems that would accommodate it.
'One of the exciting things about a timber-frame building is the impact it has on the community. Suddenly, you go from the foundations to these wagons turning up loaded with timber panels, which are craned into place. And suddenly you have a building.
'There were concerns about the risk of vandalism, so we spent a little more and put a brick skin on the building, which gives it added solidity. It would be wrong to say there is no more maintenance potential with a modular building than with a traditional build, but you can minimise it by your choice of external materials. Obviously a felt covered roof has a limited life, but you can use a clay or concrete tiled pitch roof instead.'
For suppliers' contact details, see Directory, p36