to be surprised that the local Sure Start Centre Nursery is more expensive than all the Private School Nurserys in our city?

[tryingtobemarrypoppins2]

And by loads more! 8-4:30 day at our excellent Sure start centre is an extra £18 a day after free hours are deducted.

The private school nurserys are charging £6 extra.

I don't understand!!

Sure Start pays their staff loads more than private nurseries, and they have much higher standards of qualifications.

But they should be affordable to many low income families shouldn't they?? I would say almost all families using it are middle income or higher. It seems crazy!

My local Sure Start nursery is expensive (£46) a day, but it's in a very low income area and I'd say the vast majority of families that use in are low income. I assume most people pay with tax credits.

However, all the staff are highly qualified and earning £19k-£20k ish a year, compared to £12k-£14k in private nurseries.

Don't you have to have a very very low income to get tax credits?

I'm not sure what the income thresholds for the childcare element are tbh.

Here the surestart nursery is significantly cheaper and best. £65 per day at day private nursery and £44 a day at surestart.

It seems to be down to how the 15 hours can be used. Private school nurserys will let you do up to 10 hours a day, Sure start is max of 6. So if you work you pay for extra hours either side of the free hours. I only need 17 hours care a week, but with Sure Start I have to take the 2 and a half day provision. Its less flexable and more expensive sadly.

Anyone else finding this?