Private nurseries could step-in

There's optimism some of the staff set to lose their jobs if pre-schools close this summer could transfer to privately-run nurseries.

Chief Executive of the Children's Centre, John Knight, says if existing facilities at primary schools are handed over, nursery businesses could be established at the same sites as now.

That depends on what funding's made available from the education department to parents.

Financial assistance has been promised, athough it's unclear whether this would be universal or means-tested.

Mr Knight says organisations such as his could step-in without too much difficulty: