Nurseries campaign for better funding from the Government for the 30hrs free childcare
Nurseries are grouping together to form a campaign asking for better funding from Government. A petition has been launched asking for an increase in the funding rate for 3 and 4-year-olds.
It has been said for some time that the funding being offered by the Government is inadequate, leaving many nurseries having to subside the shortfall.
With the introduction of the National living wage and Work pension scheme, it has left many nurseries with a financial strain and the funding offered for the 30hrs free childcare will only make this worse.
Dianne Bates former headteacher is helping organise the campaign, she is encouraging many nurseries to get involved and has set up a petition. If the petition reaches 100,000 signatures, the issue will be discussed in parliament.
According to the government the national average age rate is £4.56, however for many nurseries this is not what they are actually receiving, causing many nurseries to argue the reasoning behind this. Funding rates vary from a rate of £2,90 an hour to £4,06; nurseries believe that they should receive at least £5.50 an hour.
Nurseries involved in the campaign are worried that government are offering the 30hrs free childcare without even taking into consideration how nurseries are expected to deliver this scheme.
The petition can be viewed at petition.parliament.uk/petitions/122773