Speaking at the NDNA's annual conference in Manchester last week, deputydirector of childcare at the DfES, Graham Archer, said, 'Localauthorities have a duty to come out and explain how their analyses work.At the same time it is important that settings fully engage with thisprocess and provide as much information as they can.'
Mr Archer emphasised the Government's intention to narrow any gaps inprovision in local areas. He said, 'All of the assessment informationwill be gathered by October and our sufficiency duty will be announcedin April 2008. The PVI sector has a vital role to play in closing gapsand offering choice.
At the NDNA's annual awards ceremony, held at Manchester's Lowry ArtsCentre, the Nursery of the Year was named as Rossett House Nursery inWrexham, Wales. Runners-up were Kinder Haven in Bradford and SpringlandsNursery in Colchester. The award was supported by Ariel Sensitive.
Carole-Anne Warner from Sunflowers Children's Centre in Shropshirereceived the NDNA Nursery Carer of the Year award, supported byichild.co.uk.
NDNA chief executive Purnima Tanuku said, 'Thousands of nomination formswere received for both this year's awards, and receiving one of theseprestigious titles is a real achievement.'
