How will childcare settings cope with the demand for more childcare places?
Without any further support from government apart from a tiny increase in funding many childcare providers are worrying whether they will remain open.
Not only is the free entitlement being increased but the living wage is rising causing the debate whether to increase fees to offset this.
The government are wanting more childcare places to become available but at what expense. Yes this is great for working parents and this should be available but yet again the early years sector is going to suffer. Instead, working in childcare should be recognised as one of the most influential jobs and be rewarded. Many nursery owners reward their team for their hard work and commitment but how long can nursery owners keep this up for.
Recruiting qualified staff is becoming increasing difficult, one being the GCSE guidelines and two, qualified staff not being paid what they should be for their qualification. Where does this leave the qualified workforce that the government are after?
Many nursery settings are still voicing their opinions that the 30 hrs free entitlement still hasn’t been thought through properly. How are children going to get the quality care if nurseries are unable to recruit qualified staff and what happens if nurseries aren’t in a position to offer these places then what?
What help and incentive is out there for nurseries to offer this quality care to all children?
I agree we are worried about sustainability ! In Bolton 2 settings have already closed and more voicing they are next . An emergency meeting was held in 1st Feb with over 70 providers and childminders who voiced their concern about the future . The government need to delay this until further consultation can be carried out . The sector is dying rapidly .
As a small private childcare provider, I have been following carefully about the 30 free hours, national living wage and next April auto enrolment for my staff. And the talk of all settings employing an early years teacher. There has been no increase this year for our 3 and 4 year old funding, in fact it has been dropped to under £4.00 an hour. Many nurseries are receiving much less than this I believe. So what financial help are the government and local councils going to give.? Will settings have to accommodate the 30 hours? How will this effect the pack a ways?