A ruling by the local government watchdog has reignited the debate over how nurseries charge parents for “consumables” under the government-funded childcare scheme and how local authorities monitor such practices.
Last month, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGO) criticised Nottinghamshire County Council for failures to properly oversee fees charged by a local nursery for “consumables” such as nappies and food in a case brought by a mother.
Additional charge
In the case, the nursery had imposed an additional charge of £1.81 per hour for a free early education place since the child had been eligible for the 30-hour entitlement at the start of 2020 and that she was given no option but to pay the fee.
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