Nursery World - Kent nurseries await funding news

Private and voluntary nursery owners in Kent are waiting to hear about the outcome of a meeting between Kent County Council (KCC)and DfES officials last week, which could affect how the nursery education grant for three- and four-year-olds will be administered nationwide. Following protests from a number of PVI providers, KCC has suspended new conditions for the NEG and is understood to be challenging the DfES on a number of issues within the CoP.

Following protests from a number of PVI providers, KCC has suspended new conditions for the NEG and is understood to be challenging the DfES on a number of issues within the CoP.

Providers are awaiting an official statement from KCC. A council spokesperson told Nursery World, 'We are waiting for a response from the DfES and for points to be clarified.'

But Darrell King, owner of the Old School House nursery in East Sutton, Kent, said, 'Both myself and parents have received letters of encouragement from all levels within the council.'

But children's minister Beverly Hughes told Nursery World, 'I am firmly committed to the free entitlement which this Government has introduced. It is absolutely crucial that this free offer of 12.5 hours childcare a week remains just that, free to all parents at the point of delivery.

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