Challenges facing Childcare Businesses in the current economic environment Carol Jenkins 15th July 2010
Places for People One of the largest property management, development and regeneration companies in the UK. Creating neighbourhoods of choice. Not for dividend organisation Provides a range of innovative products and services aimed at improving the quality of life for people living in the communities
Places for Children Developed as part of regeneration strategy Group of 12 Nurseries 760 registered places 7 nurseries in Children Centres 5 wholly owned nurseries 145 childcare staff
UK NURSERY MARKET Value of UK market £3880m 1.2m estimated registered nursery places Average UK occupancy 82% Circa 203,000 Employees Salary bill c£55m Contraction in market capacity 2008 Increase in distressed sales Acquisition activity
Key Issues Facing the Sector Leadership and Innovation Ensuring Early Years remains a central priority of Government policy Single Funding Formula Funding of skilled workforce Ensuring world class Care and Early Years Education Role of childcare in economic recovery
The Childcare Industry must: Focus on what matters and seek solutions. Provide outward facing, future focused leadership Seek to influence locality outcomes and deliver partnership and multi agency working to achieve positive outcomes for children. Create vehicles for dialogue Work our smartest with Vision – Optimism - Realism