08/03/11

By Andrew Holt

Two new two year projects for The Social Investment Business that aim to increase the involvement of charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations in the provision of children’s services have secured funding from the Department for Education (DfE).

Foundations for the Future is a £1million strategic partnership led by 4Children which will help deliver the DfE’s objective to involve civil society organisations in the reform and delivery of early years services.

A second project awarded £700k in funding last week - also from the DfE’s Improving Outcomes for Children, Young People and Families Grant Fund - will see The Social Investment Business work alongside 4Children and OPM to provide business support and training to improve the sustainability of charities, social enterprises and community groups who offer children’s services.

The Social Investment Business chief executive Jonathan Lewis said: “We are delighted to partner with 4Children to work with the Department for Education in the important area of early years and childcare services.

“There are many charities and social enterprises all over the country who provide excellent support to parents and children – often in our poorest and most deprived neighbourhoods.

"To ensure the success and growth of these organisations during the current difficult financial climate it’s vital that as well being committed to the people they serve they are as financially robust as possible.

"By providing expert business support we will be able to help hundreds of nurseries, playgroups and children’s centres to improve their business skills and ensure they are financially stable and sustainable.

“We are excited to be a member of this important strategic partnership whose work will have a real, positive impact – building the sector’s capacity to both reform and deliver services for young children and their parents.”

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