Jane Armstrong, the Alliance's Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative co-ordinator, said that since funding for the initiative was coming to an end, 'most of the nurseries we are opening will either become children's centres or be part of them'. However, she said that such decisions were ultimately up to Early Years Development and Childcare Part- nerships and local authorities.
Two nurseries, a 50-place facility in Lewisham, London, and a 48-place nursery at Droitwich in Worcestershire, have already opened. Others due to open in the spring include a 30-place nursery in the grounds of Newstead Miners' Welfare and Community Centre in Nottingham- shire, a 50-place nursery in the grounds of Elsecar Trinity Primary School in South Yorkshire and another 50-place nursery at the Woodville Resource Centre in Cheetham, Manchester.
Ms Armstrong said that after looking at nursery design in France and Holland, the Alliance decided there should be less of the traditional emphasis on 'exterior architecture' and more on 'creating an interior that places children's and parents' needs first'. She said, 'We have concentrated on features that produce a homely, warm, welcoming environment for children, with an emphasis on the principles of continuity and inclusivity.'
The Alliance had to produce sustainable business plans to obtain funding from various sources including the New Opportunities Fund, Sure Start and the Countryside Agency. But Ms Armstrong said it remained difficult to accurately calculate the take-up in places in areas of disadvantage 'where perhaps there is no tradition of mothers working and long-term unemployment issues', and where flexible working meant parents did not want full daycare. She added that the Alliance would look at additional ways to encourage sustainability by offering 'parent education, family learning and activities to stimulate parents into training, work or community activism'.
As it prepares for a hectic round of nursery openings, the Alliance is also seeking to recruit staff, including ten centre managers.
Ms Armstrong said it was particularly hard to recruit staff to take charge of baby rooms and attributed this to the large increase in the number of places created for children aged between six weeks and two years.
She added, 'Staff for this job have to have relevant qualifications and a year's post-qualification training. This is made harder because we are operating in some areas where, apart from childminders, there hasn't been any daycare for babies.'
