Minister promises greater partnership

The Government intends to ensure that there is true partnership between private and voluntary early years providers and local authorities in England, says minister for children Margaret Hodge. In an interview with Nursery World at the Department for Education and Skills last week, the minister stressed the importance to the Government's National Childcare Strategy of partnership between the sectors and local authorities. She also gave her personal assurance that the Government wanted to 'maintain the diversity of providers'.