Editor's view
Liz Roberts, editor
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
More than 500 childcare places are to disappear with the demise of Scottish chain KidCare and the BBC's decision to phase out its workplace nurseries (see News, page 4). The two events, while obviously both resulting in closures, involve very different circumstances, however. KidCare hit financial problems, tried and failed to sell the business, and then shut its doors at just a few hours'
The two events, while obviously both resulting in closures, involve very different circumstances, however. KidCare hit financial problems, tried and failed to sell the business, and then shut its doors at just a few hours'
notice to staff and parents, with Christmas just round the corner. The fact that it ran the creche at the Scottish Parliament, which had been struggling to attract sufficient numbers, guaranteed keen media attention.
The BBC, meanwhile, has had to cope with excess demand for childcare from its employees. It offered 217 workplace nursery places, while 3,000 staff required childcare. Vouchers and subsidised places at nearby providers'
settings were deemed to be a fairer solution, and the nurseries will be closed over a period of several years to avoid anyone being left in the lurch.
Vouchers, of course, are only a solution if affordable, high-quality childcare is available for parents to access, but this does seem to be the direction that employer-supported childcare is moving. There has been little if any news emerging on how the Government's 16.8m fund for workplace nurseries for small and medium businesses will be spent.
