Nurseries are struggling to pay staff wages, deal with the burden of extra paperwork from the 30 hours offer and Tax-Free Childcare, and make a surplus or profit.
These are the top three challenges cited by respondents to the National Day Nurseries Association’s 2018 Nursery Survey England, which warns that one in five nurseries is set to make a loss and that many fear closure. Indeed, the report finds that closures are up by 47 per cent on last year.
The NDNA’s report said, ‘The way the Government funds the 30 hours “free” childcare is not up to scratch. Outdated and complex funding arrangements are putting huge strains on nurseries which have unintended consequences for the sector. Whether this is nurseries having to restrict the number of places offered to parents, hold back from hiring qualified staff, or charge extra for services, nurseries are having to alter their services in a way neither they nor parents want.’
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