Taking place in locations across the country, the workshops entitled 'The Changing Childcare Market - Developing Sustainable Business Strategies' will help nursery managers and owners develop strategies and ideas to create sustainable businesses.

Each workshop explores the current market and how the Childcare Act will impact on it further. The session will look at how nurseries can minimise the risks these changes could create. The workshops will also address how nurseries can create partnerships with their own local authorities to strengthen their business position. The session will also investigate how nurseries can respond to new demands and where nursery managers can access sources of business and financial support.

In addition, NDNA has also launched a new workshop for Children's Centres. 'Facilitating Integrated Working' is designed to help ensure Children's Centre managers deliver integrated services for parents and families. Each session, designed for up to 20 delegates, explores good practice in delivering integrated services and also equips managers with practical tools to address barriers to achieving this.

Patricia Jackson, Head of Regional Development at NDNA comments: "Private and voluntary nurseries are currently facing a range of challenges. However, by looking at how they can effectively address these issues, nurseries can reduce risks to their business and actually capitalise on some of the opportunities changes within the childcare
market offer. Our affordable workshops will help nursery owners and managers strengthen their business and forge genuinely strong links with their own local authority. In addition, those managing Children's Centres currently face their own challenges in terms of actually delivering integrated services. Our new workshops are an ideal way for local authorities to equip those on the ground to provide an integrated service for children and families. The market is changing, but with the right support we believe some of the current challenges facing nurseries
can actually become opportunities.‿

The 'Changing Childcare Market' workshops are available as follows in 2006: Hartlepool 17 October; Grantham 6 November; Birmingham 15 November; Widnes 21 November; Hounslow 23 November. NDNA members can
attend at the special rate of £79 per delegate, non-members can attend for £99.

The 'Facilitating Integrated Working' session is an independently facilitated workshop that can be delivered at a venue of choice for just £600 (plus expenses) This fee is for up to 20 delegates and includes manuals for each delegate, plus up to five hours post training support.

For further information or to arrange interviews please contact: Hayley Doyle, Press Officer on T:0870 774 4244 M:07718 803 652 or email hayley.doyle@ndna.org.uk