The National Children's Bureau (NCB) has saved its Children’s Play and Information Service through a partnership with the Association of Play Industries (API).

The service was in danger of closing after the government announced it would not renew its contract at the end of March. The API has agreed to fund the service for the rest of the year and NCB is now looking into ways to fund the service from 2012.

Further details of the partnership agreement were unavailable but NCB did reveal that under the government funding the service was run by two full-time members of staff whereas in the next financial year there will only be one part-time employee.

John Croasdale, chairman of the API, described the CPIS as a “frontline service” and said: “These resources need our support to guard against some very severe cuts for the play sector – this is part of our contribution to ensure play is not left behind.”

The service is part of the NCB's Library and Information service and provides industry professionals and academics with research, factsheets and news about play.