![](/media/k50jsxer/999f2c00e4e5b093208664d81406ef2e.gif?width=1002&height=668&bgcolor=White&v=1da60f83cb06500)
Letters have just gone out to providers in the London borough of Bexley confirming the funding they will receive from April, revealing that Bexley will be reducing the rate it pays settings to provide the free places from the current rate of £6 an hour to £5.09.
Neil Leitch, the chief executive of the Pre-School Learning Alliance, has written to Elizabeth Truss, the education and childcare minister, as a matter of urgency to express his concerns.
Mr Leitch said that Bexley’s figures confirmed his fears about insufficient funding for the two-year-old places and that the Alliance is very concerned that the situation in Bexley could be replicated across the country, leading to a nationwide funding shortfall for two-year-old places.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here