The warning follows the announcement of a year-long campaign by HMRevenues & Customs against nurseries not paying the minimum wage(Children Now, 5-11 July). Visits to 400 childcare providers since 2003revealed many employees were not getting the minimum wage, officialssaid.
However, the Professional Association of Nursery Nurses warned manynurseries were already stretched by staff costs.
The cost of salary increases would be passed on to parents or meannurseries would employ less-qualified but cheaper staff, said nationalprofessional officer Tricia Pritchard.
Employment minister Jim Fitzpatrick said the campaign was as much abouteducating and helping employers as cracking down on those ignoring thelaw.
- National minimum wage helpline 0845 6000 678.
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