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Stephen Timms launches International Centre for the Study of the Mixed Economy of Childcare at UEL

Monday 10 September 2007

Stephen Timms, MP for East Ham and Minister of State at the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, today launched a new international research centre focused on the new economy of childcare, based at the University of East London (UEL).

The International Centre for the Study of the Mixed Economy of Childcare, led by Professor Helen Penn and Eva Lloyd of UEL’s School of Education, was formally opened at an international conference, entitled The Mixed Economy of Childcare: Risks and Opportunities, on Monday, 10 September.

Nursery education and childcare in the UK is now a multimillion pound business, and over the last decade, there has been a large shift towards corporate management and private ownership. Policymakers, childcare business leaders, public and voluntary sector childcare managers and academics from around the world gathered at UEL’s Docklands campus to discuss the implications of these developments for parents, children, childcare providers and the economy.

In his keynote address, Stephen Timms said: “This is a timely and important launch. Childcare provision is marked by striking diversity. Since 1997 we have doubled provision to over 1.3 million places, with free provision for 3 and 4 year olds. Newham is one of 20 pathfinder boroughs extending free provision with increased hours, a programme that will roll out nationally.

“The new Childcare Act sets out a clear framework for local authorities and the private, voluntary and independent sector. My department is also working hard to streamline and simplify regulation, and to support smaller businesses and social enterprises. Research shows that high quality early years education and care make a real difference, particularly to the least advantaged.

“This new Centre will illuminate how the mixed economy of childcare is working in practice. My colleagues and I are greatly looking forward to hearing from you.”

Helen Penn, Professor of Education and a leading authority in early childhood education and development, said: “The nursery and childcare sector is undergoing rapid and complex change. One Australian company now owns 12,500 nursery places in the UK, and more mergers are on the cards, such is the profitability of the industry. At the same time parents pay around 28% of household income in childcare fees, higher than anywhere else in the world. Have we got the balance right or do we need different kinds of regulation? "

Eva Lloyd, ICMEC's co-director, said: “We are setting up this international research centre to study the mixed economy of childcare, working with regulators and providers from across the sector to study and map these new developments from an international perspective.”

Conference participants included industry representatives and experts from Australia and Canada. For full details, visit www.uel.ac.uk/icmec

Ends/.

For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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