Private providers fear sidelining

Private providers remain apprehensive about their future role in Government initiatives despite ministerial reassurances that they will have a part to play. Speaking at a conference last week about the future of the private sector, minister for children Margaret Hodge spelled out the opportunities that children's centres and extended schools could offer private providers. But delegates, particularly those involved in the Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative, expressed fears that they will be sidelined or ignored.