Nursery World - 'Find a new way to fund early years'

The National Day Nurseries Association has challenged the Government to rethink its funding policies for early years provision. Last week Rosemary Murphy, NDNA chief executive, called for more direct investment into making childcare more affordable for all. She said staff in the private and voluntary sectors could not afford to subsidise childcare by working for low salaries any longer, although for them to receive a basic salary of Pounds 13,000 a year in line with national scales would mean a near doubling of childcare fees for many parents to 200 a week.

Last week Rosemary Murphy, NDNA chief executive, called for more direct investment into making childcare more affordable for all. She said staff in the private and voluntary sectors could not afford to subsidise childcare by working for low salaries any longer, although for them to receive a basic salary of 13,000 a year in line with national scales would mean a near doubling of childcare fees for many parents to 200 a week.

Mrs Murphy said, 'The massive drive for expansion can no longer be sustained at the cost of childcare workers. Providers are struggling to keep staff and recognise the need to raise salaries, but are only too aware that parents are not able or willing to foot the bill.

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