Buckinghamshire faces cuts to its free childcare provision
Joe Lepper
Friday, July 9, 2010
Buckinghamshire has confirmed cuts to its free childcare provision as a result of the government's extension of the free entitlement for three- and four-year-olds.
Up to 400 free places will be lost as a result of 14 providers withdrawing from the county council’s childcare list because of increasing financial pressures.
Those that have withdrawn include Gayhurst School, Godstowe School, Hiawatha Montessori and Maltmans Green School.
Chris Monday, Buckinghamshire's director for commissioning in education, said: "We really are a hostage to fortune in this situation. We have to work within a statutory framework, and there is no leeway in that. We are also having to make sure sufficient childcare provision is in place."
He said that the council is looking to encourage other providers in the area to fill this gap in provision. If none come forward the council will provide the places itself, but only as a last resort, he added.
From September this year the flexible free entitlement for three- and four-year-olds will increase from 12.5 to 15 hours a week over 38 weeks.
National Day Nurseries Association chief executive Purnima Tanuku said funding problems surrounding the free entitlement are a problem nationwide.
She said: "A number are giving serious consideration to withdrawing from the scheme, but for many this is not an option as for some nurseries this makes up a significant proportion of income. We are urging government to make resolving issues a top priority, to ensure that children can continue to access a service that meets their needs."
A Daycare Trust report released earlier this week revealed that just under a quarter of 300 London nurseries surveyed ranked free entitlement funding as their biggest financial concern.
Those that have withdrawn include Gayhurst School, Godstowe School, Hiawatha Montessori and Maltmans Green School.
Chris Monday, Buckinghamshire's director for commissioning in education, said: "We really are a hostage to fortune in this situation. We have to work within a statutory framework, and there is no leeway in that. We are also having to make sure sufficient childcare provision is in place."
He said that the council is looking to encourage other providers in the area to fill this gap in provision. If none come forward the council will provide the places itself, but only as a last resort, he added.
From September this year the flexible free entitlement for three- and four-year-olds will increase from 12.5 to 15 hours a week over 38 weeks.
National Day Nurseries Association chief executive Purnima Tanuku said funding problems surrounding the free entitlement are a problem nationwide.
She said: "A number are giving serious consideration to withdrawing from the scheme, but for many this is not an option as for some nurseries this makes up a significant proportion of income. We are urging government to make resolving issues a top priority, to ensure that children can continue to access a service that meets their needs."
A Daycare Trust report released earlier this week revealed that just under a quarter of 300 London nurseries surveyed ranked free entitlement funding as their biggest financial concern.
