Families will struggle to find childcare providers offering the 30hrs free childcare
Less than half of childcare providers are to offer the 30hrs free childcare, this will put the government’s scheme into complete chaos. Nurseries are to loose 1.69 per hour per child, so why would nurseries contemplate at providing the free childcare next year. Leaving many families the heart ache of trying to find a childcare place.
Before the scheme is set to go ahead the sums need addressing to make sure it is worth nurseries offering this scheme. Many nurseries are already losing on average 34,000 on free places and this amount is set to increase next year with the extended hours.
Childcare minister has suggested that nurseries are concentrating more on profit margins rather than helping families, but wouldn’t you if this was your business?
Providing high-quality childcare to families is at the top of nurseries priority, but there needs to be a balance in making sure this is financially viable. Many nurseries are behind the principle of supporting families.
The only option nurseries will have is to charge parents more for childcare, when again this won’t help those on a low income.
The government need to recognise the importance of investing in the early year’s sector and provide the right amount of funding to nurseries so they can offer the free 30hrs free childcare.
Do you work in a nursery offering free childcare? or are you a parent hoping to benefit from the 30hrs free childcare? share your experiences with us by adding your comments below.