Nursery Workers to use their pay to cover the 30hr Childcare Scheme
The 30hrs childcare scheme has now started for many childcare providers, however, according to the New Economics Foundation Think Tank for nurseries to financially survive they would have to pay staff £7.33 per hour, which we know is below the minimum wage. Paying staff this hourly rate would mean childcare providers would break even. Childcare employees would not be in favour of this move as it would mean a pay cut for many-qualified staff.
Many nurseries up and down the country are having to change their fees structure and charge parents for extras, such as foods, nappies and additional activities, this means parents are now having to pay for extras when previously this may have been included in their fees.
The government is offering on average £4.27 per hour for care, this amount is short of what it actually costs to care for 3 and 4-year-olds, therefore nurseries are having to look at other options to help claw back the shortfall.
In order for childcare providers to carry on providing high-quality care, there needs to be further financial help from the government, other wise more and more providers will have to close, causing a reduction in a number of childcare places available.