Nurseries say parents could face higher fees and even nursery closures due to insufficient funding ahead of an expansion in the provision of free childcare. On Tuesday, the government announced that early years funding would increase by £2bn next year in England, to support the planned rollout of 30 hours per week of government-funded childcare for all eligible under-fives from September. That includes a 45% uplift in the Early Years Pupil Premium funding for the most disadvantaged children, to up to £570 per year. But nursery leaders warn the increases will not be enough to cover rising National Insurance contributions and minimum wage staffing costs.
Source link
