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Doctors call for more funding for nurseries caring for key worker children

Nurseries that are continuing to operate during the Covid-19 pandemic to support frontline workers need financial support now to keep sustainable, the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) and British Medical Association (BMA) have jointly stated.
Uncertainty around nursery provision is causing ongoing problems for healthcare workers, with some unable to work because they have no childcare
Uncertainty around nursery provision is causing ongoing problems for healthcare workers, with some unable to work because they have no childcare

They are calling for better funding and support for childcare providers so that the children of critical workers can get easier access to the care that they need and settings can remain viable.

They also want ‘greater clarity’ on how childcare services will reopen safely and with financial support and security to operate with reduced numbers of childcare for months to come.  

The NDNA highlights that many settings that have remained open are operating at a financial loss. Many report that they cannot access the small business grant of £10,000 and other forms of business support.

‘We know from our members that a lot of nurseries which have stayed open during this crisis to support NHS staff are running at a loss, with some losing thousands of pounds a week,’ said NDNA chief executive Purnima Tanuku.

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