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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

New budget - I'm excited!

110 replies

gemloving · 14/03/2023 18:41

I am so glad the topic of childcare is finally being discussed and it seems changed are being made.

I can't see us getting free hours for 1 year olds but 30h for 2 year olds would be fantastic and such a great move into the right direction.

I have a 4 year old and an almost 2 year old in the system!

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PrincessScarlett · 14/03/2023 19:34

Extending 30 hours for 2 year olds will completely devastate the childcare market. Unless the government are going to pay childcare providers a decent rate.

Childcare settings are already losing money on every single funded child as the government do not pay what the childcare settings actually charge. So yes, on the face of it parents will be celebrating but then they will realise that nurseries have shut down, childminders have left the sector or nurseries and childminders will refuse to accept funded places and they will have their so called 'free' hours but there will be nowhere to use them.

BernadetteIsMySister · 14/03/2023 19:27

Unsure33 · 14/03/2023 19:21

well I guess not everything has been revealed yet , so who knows .

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It's the Tories!

It's all words and no substance. It will be poorly thought out and chronically underfunded. It's their last ditch attempt to win some votes as they lose popularity at the next GE.

Unsure33 · 14/03/2023 19:21

BernadetteIsMySister · 14/03/2023 18:49

So not the childcare settings then?

Honestly this is the nail in the coffin for the childcare sector. I actually think I'm going to start job hunting tomorrow.

well I guess not everything has been revealed yet , so who knows .

Twistyripple · 14/03/2023 18:59

Will there be any way to watch this?? I'd love to see the discussion.

I have 1 year old twins that have just started going to nursery for 1.5 days a week. It's costing £800 a month and I live in a fairly poor area in Yorkshire!!!

Goodness knows how people in more expensive areas cope!

Treaclex69 · 14/03/2023 18:56

BernadetteIsMySister · 14/03/2023 18:49

So not the childcare settings then?

Honestly this is the nail in the coffin for the childcare sector. I actually think I'm going to start job hunting tomorrow.

You are not alone Flowers

Treaclex69 · 14/03/2023 18:55

Whilst it's great that childcare is being thought of the reality is that if it's not funded correctly nothing they suggest will work.
I work within the childcare sector and I'm actually dreading tomorrows announcement which will likely be increased ratios and funding to include 1 & 2 yr olds because our sector simply cannot continue to subsidise the huge underfunding that we currently have.
Spaces are sparse as it is right now with everyone wanting flexible childcare, settings that closed through covid add the cost of living crisis into the mix it's dire and settings are closing daily due to being underfunded and under valued.

DESGUSTING · 14/03/2023 18:53

I think whilst yes it mostly definitely will help parents, the settings themselves...nope.

What they get from the government doesn't cover all costs, hence still needing to pay 'a top up'

Good news for us yes but bad new for nurseries and don't think some will manage.

BernadetteIsMySister · 14/03/2023 18:49

So not the childcare settings then?

Honestly this is the nail in the coffin for the childcare sector. I actually think I'm going to start job hunting tomorrow.

Original poster
gemloving · 14/03/2023 18:48

@BernadetteIsMySister it's not for myself really but more so for those who will be properly benefitting from it x

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BernadetteIsMySister · 14/03/2023 18:47

I wouldn't get your hopes up.