CYP Now - Childcare leaders criticise inclusion of nurseries in consumer watchdog probe

Early years leaders have hit back at plans for nurseries to be included in a probe by the UK’s markets and competition watchdog over the treatment of consumers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Early years leaders say providers are between "a rock and a hard place". Picture: Adobe Stock

Nurseries are listed alongside wedding planners and companies offering holiday accommodation as areas of “particular concern” by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

The probe comes after the CMA said it has recorded a rise in customer complaints about cancellations and refunds in the three sectors, which it said it would now investigate. The probe will later be extended to cover more areas of concern, the CMA said, warning that organisations found at fault over refusals to give refunds to customers could face legal action.

However, early years leaders have said this latest issue to hit childcare providers leaves the sector “between a rock and a hard place”.

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