LDA to lead new fund for the creation of workplace nurseries

The LDA is to manage a £16.8m programme for the creation of workplace nurseries on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills.  The programme builds on the success of the Childcare Affordability Programme (CAP) which currently supports an additional 6000 affordable childcare places across London.

The Workplace Nurseries Capital initiative will help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) employing 250 people or less to provide childcare facilities for their employees.

The grant could fund the creation of up to 20 new workplace nurseries from scratch or up to 30 through conversion or expansion of existing premises.  In some areas, SMEs may wish to work with large employers on expansion of existing workplace nurseries to cater for SME employees.

The LDA is the lead Regional Development Agency (RDA) on childcare and family friendly policies and the LDA will work with other RDAs, local authorities and employers to identify areas where new workplace nursery provision is most likely to be sustainable and beneficial for employers and working parents.  Workplace nurseries are expected to be located in areas of economic growth and regeneration.

Manny Lewis, Chief Executive of the LDA, said: "It is fantastic news that this money has been allocated to the RDAs and that the LDA will be managing this scheme which will make it easier for parents to balance work and family life by helping employers to provide sustainable, reliable and accessible childcare for their employees."

The initiative will be integrated with local strategies for developing the childcare market through the childcare sufficiency duties in the Childcare Act.

Priority areas for investment will be announced by the end of this year, together with further information about the allocation process and the arrangements for developing detailed proposals. Capital grants will be allocated in early 2007.

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For media enquiries: please contact Sarita Bhatia at the LDA Media Team on 020 7593 8400; for public enquiries, please call 020 7593 9000.

Notes to editors:

• The LDA is the Mayor's agency for sustainable economic development. The LDA prepares the Mayor's business plan for London and mobilises the support and resources of hundreds of partner organisations to help build a thriving economy for London's people, businesses and communities. The LDA is dedicated to improving sustainability, health and equality of opportunity for Londoners.
• The LDA's Childcare Team currently manages four major childcare programmes: the Childcare Affordability Programme, Marketing and Intelligence Programme, Capital Programme and Business and Skills Programme.