Hello,
I'd like to debunk the myth that nurseries are underfunded. It's simply no longer true.
This article covers the changes in funding to childcare providers in broad detail - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/childcare-settings-receive-cash-boost-as-funding-rates-increase#:~:text=Nurseries%20and%20childminders%20across%20the,hour%20they%20provide%20to%20parents.&text=Nurseries%20and%20childminders%20will%20benefit,investment%20in%20childcare%20in%20England
This link will provide you with exactly what is being provided to your providers from the government per hour: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/656638f3750074000d1ded9a/20231127_Early_Years_Funding_Rates_and_Step-by-step_Calculations_2024_to_2025_Funding_Output_Tables_-_FINAL.xlsx
This is important because childcare providers are continuing to insist on charging additional fees listed as 'consumables' even when parents provide consumables directly.
These charges have always been optional, as they are mandated legally to be optional.
Stop appeasing these nurseries profiteering from what was supposed to be parent's savings. Just because you're "up" overall doesn't make it right for them to be stealing a piece of the pie - because they are doing just that - stealing.
There's no transparency in this industry. Call them out, and stop paying them these illegal fees. Report them to the local authorities if they insist.
Find nursery advice from other Mumsnetters on our Nursery forum.
Nurseries
Nurseries are ripping you off (top up/consumables)
OPH7719 · 28/03/2024 21:53
Childcare settings receive cash boost as funding rates increase
Nurseries and childminders across the country will be paid more from today for every government-funded hour they provide to parents.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/childcare-settings-receive-cash-boost-as-funding-rates-increase#:~:text=Nurseries%20and%20childminders%20across%20the,hour%20they%20provide%20to%20parents.&text=Nurseries%20and%20childminders%20will%20benefit,investment%20in%20childcare%20in%20England
Ivapalava · 28/03/2024 23:51
I’m a childminder, I’m one of the cheapest in my area. The funding is £1.55 per hour less than my hourly rate. For a child who does 8 hours a day that’s £12.40 less than I should be earning, £62 less a week. That’s just for one child, the figures are more staggering when you consider that all the children I care for are funded. That’s without even taking expenses into consideration.
Would you suddenly like to have a big pay cut? Would you like government to instruct you that you must earn less in order for other people to reap the benefits? Would you like to do more work for considerably less wage?
Ivapalava · 28/03/2024 23:51
I’m a childminder, I’m one of the cheapest in my area. The funding is £1.55 per hour less than my hourly rate. For a child who does 8 hours a day that’s £12.40 less than I should be earning, £62 less a week. That’s just for one child, the figures are more staggering when you consider that all the children I care for are funded. That’s without even taking expenses into consideration.
Would you suddenly like to have a big pay cut? Would you like government to instruct you that you must earn less in order for other people to reap the benefits? Would you like to do more work for considerably less wage?
bradpittsbathwater · 29/03/2024 03:08
So should childminders and nurseries make a loss because the government won't pay them the going rate? It's not their fault. Our childminder charges extra for "consumables" which I happily pay as I don't expect her to be working for a pittance.
DrJump · 29/03/2024 03:27
Childcare should have some of the highest paid salaries! We are talking about looking after our youngest and most vulnerable citizens. If we want two working parents in each family then we better cover a truckload of the cost of childcare so parents can return to work. Caring for our children should be a respected and highly sort of position with good pay and excellent conditions.
OPH7719 · 29/03/2024 03:23
You're referring to funded hours for 3-4 year olds only.
How much do you make off of funded hours for 9-month-olds and 2-year-olds per hour?
Ivapalava · 28/03/2024 23:51
I’m a childminder, I’m one of the cheapest in my area. The funding is £1.55 per hour less than my hourly rate. For a child who does 8 hours a day that’s £12.40 less than I should be earning, £62 less a week. That’s just for one child, the figures are more staggering when you consider that all the children I care for are funded. That’s without even taking expenses into consideration.
Would you suddenly like to have a big pay cut? Would you like government to instruct you that you must earn less in order for other people to reap the benefits? Would you like to do more work for considerably less wage?
meditrina · 29/03/2024 05:46
You are actually correct that top up fees (whether over or by stealth) have been banned since somewhere around the early 2000s. Top ups in this context meaning additional cash or other inescapable anciliary fees (such as lunches, consumables, other hours bundled in)
And at the time when that was brought in, a lot of nurseries went bust or were taken over by larger chains.
Because there never was a time when any government provided an hourly rate that met cost of delivery.
Before the scheme expanded (lowered age of eligibility, expanded number of hours, inclusion of other types of provider) then it just about clung on.
But now, with the latest changes, the creakiness has become just too much, and yes top ups are back but usually in the "disguised" form so that everyone can politely ignore that they're back.
People go along with it, because they fear widespread closures (or withdrawal from the scheme) if anyone reported their setting and they were directed to stop the practice. But that could happen.
The banning of top-ups was not a good policy, and should have been changed by the following administration. It's predecessor (c.1998 when top ups were allowed) or its original form (c.1996 voucher scheme) were better, as parents were glad of the discount, and the scheme was simpler for everyone, and costs were more transparent.
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