Nursery World - Expense account

As the owner of a private day nursery, I would be glad to hear any suggestions Donna Barlow and Denise Harper (Letters, 25 October) have as to where the money for salary increases can be found. In my nursery 72 per cent of fee income is paid out in staff wages, leaving less than 30 per cent for the building and resources before I can consider any personal income. The only way to increase salaries would be to drastically increase fees. But childcare is already a large expense for the average parent and I am reluctant to make good-quality care a luxury few can afford.

The only way to increase salaries would be to drastically increase fees. But childcare is already a large expense for the average parent and I am reluctant to make good-quality care a luxury few can afford.

I agree that it seems harsh not to pay someone who is off sick. However, children must still be cared for when a staff member is ill. This usually means hiring supply staff at great expense. With each staff member taking an average of between five and ten sick days a year the costs soon mount up.

Alexandra Skvortsov, Greetland day nursery, Halifax, West Yorkshire

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