Nurseries U-turn on 30-hour childcare pilot

A group of around 30 childcare settings in York had previously pulled out of the trial, which is set to begin this September before the scheme is extended country-wide from September 2017, claiming funding rates initially offered by the Department for Education would not cover the cost of delivering provision.

The DfE had said the first 15 free hours, which are already available to three- and four-year-olds, and the newly introduced second 15 hours, would be funded at different rates. An increase on current hourly rates was only offered for the second 15 hours.

But following a revised offer from the department that will see York providers receive £4 an hour for all free childcare, the group of settings – members of the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) – have agreed to take part.

The decision was confirmed by the NDNA today. Its chief executive Purnima Tanuku, said: “We are not aware of any other pilot schemes unable to go ahead due to lack of adequate funding.

“In order to learn from these pilots so that the rollout in 2017 works for both families and providers, the DfE and local authorities need to create the right conditions for these pilots to take place.

“One of these is giving a single rate for all free hours rather than two different rates for the first 15 and second 15 free hours.

“Our members tell us that they are keen for this to be a success so long as they can offer funded hours and continue to be sustainable.”

However, Ken McArthur, chair of the NDNA York network, speaking before the decision said he was concerned that nurseries would “reluctantly” agree to the new funding rate.

“I strongly suspect that the united front we have managed to display will fragment and that was always my biggest fear," he said.

"Once one or two say yes, the rest, through fear of losing children to those settings that are offering 30 hours, will soon capitulate and I can't blame them.

“[The new rate] is not enough to cover the cost of supplying these hours for many day settings but it's [the DfE’s] acknowledgement that York has been underfunded for years that is the victory."

Out of eight areas across England trialling the 30-hour offer, York is the only one to pilot the scheme across all of its nurseries.

Maxine Squire, assistant director of education and skills at York City Council said: “We are currently analysing the response from providers required following the new rate announcement, but early indications are that this has been very promising.

"Half of all York’s 80 playgroups and nurseries have now confirmed they wish to take part and that is very encouraging given the short timescale for responses over the half term break.

"More responses are still being received by the Childcare Strategy service so we expect the number of confirmations to rise further.”